Canada and Kenya set for interesting last day -- Posted Monday, July 31 2006
Pick and Harper Agree - It's a Good Game
Intercontinental Cup - 4 day match - scores at close of Day 3 - Canada 235 (Qaiser Ali 91 not out) and 286 (Geoff Barnett 136, Ashish Baghai 57, Nehemiah Odhiambo 5-45)
Kenya 231 (tommy Mishra 83 not out, Henry Osinde 4-51, Umar Bhatti 4-82) and 45-2 (Steve Tikolo 22 not out, Umar Bhatti 2-14)
Kenya need 246 more runs to win with 8 second innings wickets (outs to North American baseball fans) left.
Brief Report for Day 3
Off-field leaders Andy Pick (Canada) and Roger Harper (Kenya) agree cricket fans - and baseball fans would be welcome too - are set for an interesting final day in the ICC Intercontinental Cup match at Meple Leaf CC, King City.
Opening batsman Geoff Barnett was the mainstay of Canada's second innings, making 136 runs. His innings included three mighty drives for 6 runs and a number of flowing strokes around the ground. He had featured in an opening stand of 46 with skipper John Davison at the end of day 2. He then was involved in stands of 86 with Stewart Heaney, who made 12, for the 3rd wicket and 112 for the 4th wicket with wicketkeeper Ashish Baghai, who played well for his 57.
Sadly, from a Canadian perspective, the latter batsmen failed to capitalize on these major stands, and the score went from a dominant 260-3 to 286 all out. Roger Harper paid tribute to Nehemiah Odhiambo who spearheaded the Kenyan fightback. Andy Pick pointed to the 'ebb and flow of this game'.
Barnett, who has first-class experience in New Zealand, said he 'had hoped to bat all day. I was probably disappointed to be out.' Pick said Barnett had played 'beautifully'. He added the game had been a good adverisement for Associate Level cricket.
Kenya lost two early wickets to pace bowler Umar Bhatti. There was a confident appeal for a stumping against danger-man Steve Tikolo off the bowling of John Davison, but this was turned down and Tikolo will resume on 22 not out.
The final day's play begins at 10.30am at the Maple Leaf CC. The ground has been very nicely prepared for this event. Coach Andy Pick noted that, so far, 'there is movement when the ball is new but nothing once the ball loses it's shine.' It will be interesting to see if the ball starts to turn on the last day or if Tikolo can produce a masterful innings.
Canada v Kenya- end of day 3 -- Posted Monday, July 31 2006
Day 3 Canada all out for 286
In Canada's innings Barnett scored 136, Ashish Bagai scored 57, Davidson sored 22, Heaney 12
Kenya require 291 to win. With plenty of time to chase the runs as there is approximately 8 hours of play remaining.
Here is the final status of the game for today.
The Kenya score at close of play is 45 for 2.
Tikolo is 22 not out and his partner Suji is 13 not out.
Both coaches commented that the match is evenly poised.
Kenya require 246 runs to win.
There were approximately 100 spectators at the days play, which included 3 High Performance Managers.
Canada v Kenya, Maple Leaf CC, 2nd day -- Posted Monday, July 31 2006
Battling Mishra restores parity
Cricinfo staff
July 31, 2006
Canada 235 and 52 for 1 lead Kenya 231 (Mishra 83*, Osinde 4-51, Bhatti 4-82) by 56 runs
A battling 83 from 19-year-old Tanmay Mishra helped Kenya claw their way back into the reckoning on the second day of their Intercontinental Cup tie against Canada at Maple Leaf Cricket Club after they had seemed out on their feet. By the close, Canada led by 56 runs with nine second-innings wickets in hand.
Resuming on 14 for 4 in reply to Canada's first innings of 235, Kenya continued to lose wickets and by lunch had slipped to 101 for 7 - it was remarkably similar to the first day when Canada found themselves on 102 for 7.
The Canadians' recovery had been led by , and Kenya found a hero in the precocious Mishra, who had already shown glimpses of his potential in recent one-day series. With Nehemiah Odhiambo he added 66 for the eighth wicket, but he really came into his own with the Nos. 10 and 11 when he marshalled the strike to frustrate the bowlers.
Henry Osinde (4 for 51) and Bhatti (4 for 82), who did all the damage on the first evening, were the pick of the bowlers, but their figures suffered in the latter stages of Kenya's innings.
Canada, who led by only five, started well second time, but Thomas Odoyo struck a crucial blow shortly before the close when he removed John Davison.
Article sourced from:-http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/icc-cont/content/story/255164.html
Canada versus Kenya -- Posted Monday, July 31 2006
The conclusion of the ICC match report of the first day of the Canada v Kenya match read as follows:-
"As Kenya began their innings the brilliant blue, sun filled skies over Maple Leaf Cricket Club suddenly changed to dark thunderclouds, but one can hardly blame the conditions for some of the shot selections displayed by Kenya's top four. Henry Osinde and Umar Bhatti, Canada's opening bowlers proved, at least in this session, why some consider them to be among the best opening attack of all the Associates.
At the end of just 8.1 overs, interrupted by a 21 minute stoppage for bad light, four wickets fell for the unthinkable score of 14. What must be most pleasing to Canada is the fact that the great Steve Tikolo is one of those four.
Tomorrow's play will answer many questions including how well can Kenya recover from their disastrous start and will Canada begin to get batting right down the line.
Right now Canada seemed to gain the upper hand but if the events of day 1 is any indication of how this match is going to be played ,the outcome will be very difficult to predict.".
The second day saw Kenya match the Canadian total with some very adventurious and hard hitting cricket throughout the after noon session. I left the King City ground as a storm approached and the covers were being placed over the wicket. If the next two days match the previous two there could be a dramatic conclusion.
The second day report from the ICC concluded with the following:-
"Canada started their second innings after a brief shower interrupted play. In just over one hour of batting openers John Davison and Geoff Barnett took a much more sensible and cautious approach to building a good target for their visitors. But it was very entertaining cricket as the pair contributed seven fours and one six . With the score on 46, Skipper John Davison (22) with just 12 minutes to play ,gave Kenya what their were hoping for- a wicket before stumps. Umar Bhatti was sent in as a night watchman and together with Geoff Barnett (20*) will return tomorrow to build on Canada's 56 run lead with nine wickets intact.".
A detailed match report, from another perspective, for the second day, will be available later. (Jon Harris).
Canada on top after first day with Kenya -- Posted Sunday, July 30 2006
Canada 235 (Qaiser Ali 91 not out, Pubudu Dassanayake 26, Ashish Bagai 21, Peter Ongondo 4-49, Thomas Odoyo 3-49)
Kenya 14-4 (Henry Osinde 2-5, Umar Bhatti 2-9)
Qaiser Ali leaving the field at Maple Leaf CC, King City, Ontario at the end of Canada's first innings v Kenya (ICC Intercontinental Cup). Ali top-scored with 91 not out. In the background, applauding, is Ravishankar Puvendran (made 13)
Canada battled back to a strong position against Kenya on the opening day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup match at Maple Leaf CC, King City, Ontario.
Canada looked in trouble at 102-7, despite useful knocks from veteran Pubudu Dassanayake (26) and Ashish Bagai (21). Qaiser Ali made 91 not out, leading a recovery with support from the tail-end batsman. Coach Andy Pick described the innings as 'superb. He played shots all round the wicket. He was harsh on loose deliveries and short ones." Ali had support from Umar Bhatti, Henry Osinde and the debut-making Puvendran Ravishankar, who each made 13.
Paecmen Peter Ongondo (4-49) and Thomas Odoyo (3-49) made life difficult for the early Canadian batsment. Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo took three catches.
The Kenyan first innings was soon derailed by a fierce opening spell from Henry Osinde (2-5) and Umar Bhatti (2-9) to leave Kenya on 14-4 at the close, some 221 runs behind Canada. Bhatti picked up the prized wicket of Tikolo, who has been a prolific scorer in Intercontinental Cup matches.
Ali admitted he was 'very, very happy' with his score. He had 'solid support that was most important for the team. I'm a bit sad I did not get the 100, but we got the total we needed." He added, "Everybody did a great job. Hopefully tomorrow (Sunday) we can bowl them out."
Andy Pick said "At 14-4 what price are the runs (we made) now. That spell of bowling was topclass - not just for Associate Members but for proper cricket. You must remember that - that's how good you are. We had length, speed and control today. It was a satisfactory day in the end."
In the Kenyan camp, Roger Harper commented "we didn't build on our excellent start, so we are behind at the end of the day having lost 4 wickets." "We allowed them to recover to 235. I still feel the team have enough batting to compete for first innings points".
CTV had a camera at Day 1 of Canada-Kenya and highlights were shown on the evening news. They mentioned Qaiser Ali's 91 not out, Canada's 235 and Kenya being 14-4 at close of play.
Play resumes at 10.30 on Sunday July 30. The match is scheduled for 4-days.
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Some may be interested to note that in the Ontario Cricket Association Under-19 Championship that also took place at Maple Leaf CC yestoday, the Toronto & District Cricket Association beat the Etobicoke Cricket League by 35 runs. Abishak Krismoorthy made 77 not out and opener Chris Manohar 57 for the T&D. Tony Mohabir made 94 for Etobicoke.
Report by Eddie Norfolk
ICC confirms updated regulations for Classification of Official Cricket -- Posted Sunday, July 30 2006
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed what constitutes Official Cricket, it was announced today.
The updated definitions were agreed by the ICC’s Executive Board at its recent meeting in London and have now been circulated to all ICC Full Members.
The decision to grant the top six Associate sides ODI status was a catalyst for the review, which involved extensive consultation with Full Members and representatives of the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians (ACS).
The main features of the new regulations are as follows:
Test, ODI and Twenty20 internationals:
- The new, broader definitions are laid out for the first time
- Clarification of which matches involving non-Full Members count as ODIs
First-class cricket:
- Offers greater clarity on official status, ruling out matches of less than three days scheduled duration or involving more than 11 players
- Spells out more clearly who decides on status of matches
- Prevents decisions being changed retrospectively other than in exceptional circumstances
Limited-over cricket:
- Formal adoption – for the first time – the ACS’s List A classification as the limited-over counterpart to first-class cricket
- Acceptance of the ACS’s past List A classifications
- ACS, on behalf of the ICC, to maintain the official record of List A matches
- Classifies Twenty20 matches separately from limited-over cricket
Women’s cricket:
- Reflects the amalgamation of the women’s game with the ICC which took place in 2005 by providing corresponding definitions for women’s cricket
David Richardson, the ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, said: “The review of the Classification of Official Cricket was very necessary and we are delighted with the results.
“The adoption of the updated regulations means that everyone, and especially the many people who maintain statistics on the game, now have a clear idea of how to categorise different matches.
“It is important to stress these regulations do not change any past decisions but they will ensure that decisions on the future status of matches will follow agreed guidelines.
“We are extremely grateful to the ACS, particularly David Kendix and Philip Bailey, for its input into this project.
“The organization performs an essential role in the cricket world by ensuring accurate records of all first-class and one-day matches are kept and available for publication.
“The ACS, together with the rest of the cricket world, will benefit from these updated classifications,” added Mr Richardson.
The updated Classification of Official Cricket regulations are available at:
http://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/rules/classification-of-official-cricket.pdf
OVCC report - Confederation Cup -- Posted Sunday, July 30 2006
Sorry about the lack of messages forthcoming from this end. Suffice it to say I was occupied with other things – driving several times to my mother’s in Prescott to help her with new computer.
As the time for the Confederation Cup matches is fast approaching, I shall send my “quick and dirty” version – match scorecards and stats. I do not yet have match summary info from the New Edinburgh @ Cathedral Citizen game of 22-July nor from the New Edinburgh @ Kingston Citizen game of 23-July. It is my understanding that Cathedral won the former and ‘Burgs the latter. Obviously, any individual performances in those matches cannot be reflected in the stats – i.e. Tobie Edmund apparently made mega runs on Saturday, so he is likely in more or less of a dead heat now with Kasun Perera for Citizen Division runs, but I show him 81 runs behind.
Although it is a bit late to announce this, Rogers Cable will be at today’s match at Rideau Hall 1, taping the event for broadcast on 12-August, so everyone is invited to the ground to be on TV.
The Player of the Month for June was Canterbury’s Akber Hussain for his stellar all round performance, including the 85 against Toronto some six weeks ago. Previously, May’s Player of the Month was Ottawa’s Chaminda Weerakoon.
That’s all for now. Get out and enjoy the three OVCC – QCF matches at Rideau and Lynda Lane today.
John Lexmond
OVCC Statistician
St. Catharines Cricket Club wins the ED Burn Cricket Cup -- Posted Saturday, July 29 2006
The Ed Burn Tournament, usually a knockout series held by Hamilton & District Cricket League, was formatted as a round robin event, with 6 teams in competition from Mississauga, Brantford, Cambridge, CCC, St.Catharines, Crescent and Hamilton.
On one of the hottest weekends, St. Catharines Cricket Club struggled match after match and brought the prestigious ED Burn Cricket Cup.
St. Catharines quite compressively won the first round versus Crescent . Crescent scored 105 runs in 20 overs which St.Catharines ended up chasing in the 12th over with 6 wickets still in hand.
The semi final took place on Sunday versus Hamilton CC at Brantford. The St. Catharines cricketers chased 137 runs, made by Hamilton in the first innings, in only 13 overs to win the semis and to have a birth in the final round. Tawab Ikram, hitting sky sixers and quick boundaries rocked the Brantford Cricket Club park and scored 48 runs in only 19 deliveries.
The stage was set for the finals between Crescent CC and St. Catharines for the championship match. Crescent CC, after winning the toss, put St. Catharines to bat first. After the loss of the openers, Omair Khan and Gurpreet Singh provided the well needed stability and took quick runs to make sure that the top order batting line up stay focused with hopes to put up good total in 20 allotted overs. Both scored runs off almost every delivery and established a 52 runs partnership. Nasir Mahmood, Ash Jhanji, Bilal Akhtar, Tawab Ikram, and Adeel Khan were all major contributors in the semis and finals of the Ed Burn Tournament. The score in the final reached 150 in just 17 overs by St. Catharines.
In reply, Crescent batted well but were at 145 i.e. 6 runs short of desired total in the 19th overs bowled by StC in the allotted time of 80 minutes. Shoaib, showing his all round cricketing skills made major contributions for Crescent. However, the middle order of Crescent CC batting line up was destroyed by Adeel Khan as he took total of 3 wickets including 2 consecutive on 2 deliveries in his very first over.
The last time St. Catharines won this championship was in 1999.
Canada v Kenya - ICC Intercontinental Cup -- Posted Saturday, July 29 2006
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup match featuring Canada and Kenya (July 29th- August 1st), opens Canada's home program for this summer. Kenya arrived in Toronto earlier this week.
This tournament had previously been played on a regional basis but has now gone global, hence the appearance of Kenya. Starting in 2006, each match will be allowed 4-days rather than the 3-days in previous contests. Four teams will progress to the semi-finals and final of the competition but due to pressure of matches leading up to the one-day international-based 2007 World Cup, the final stages will not be until 2007.
Kenya is captained by Steve Tikolo, a prolific batsman. In last year’s playoffs, he made 220 v Bermuda (Semi-final) and 177 not out v Ireland (Final). Kenya opened this season’s competition with a draw against the Netherlands. The Netherlands made 474 (Ryan ten Doeschate 158) and 202-5. Kenya made 367 all out: Tikolo was 212 not out when their innings ended.
Canada counter with the pace spearhead of Henry Osinde and Umar Bhatti, both of whom were at Ross Lord Park on Friday afternoon. Canada also has a major spin-attack, headed by captain John Davison.
Interestingly, the Canadian 'Epoch Times' this week has a feature on English test-star Jim Laker's 19 wickets (out of 20) world record international haul. This celebrates the 50th anniversary of this achievement.
When Canada played their first match in the Intercontinental Cup in 2004 versus the USA, Davison took 17 wickets. This is the best haul in a first-classs status international match since Laker's achievement. Both Laker (now deceased) and Davison made their names as off-spin bowlers.
Davison is also in the record books for hitting the fastest century in a World Cup match during his innings of 111 versus West Indies in the 2003 event in South Africa.
Newcomers Naresh Patel and Puvendran Ravishankar are looking forward to their first major international experience with the Canadian side.
This match features the losing finalists from the 2004 (Canada) and 2005 (Kenya) competitions. Scotland won the Cup in 2004 with Ireland keeping the title in Europe last year. The Kenya game is set for Maple Leaf CC, King City. Playing hours were originally advised to me as 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. but the Canadian Cricket Association website notes the start as 10am (as did yesterday's release.)
****Those without a cricketing pedigree are warned that cricket is vulnerable to weather and to track the progress of a game because a 4-day match could end in less days than the allotted spell. The Intercontinental Cup features two-innings per side (up to 10 outs).
Kenya desperate for victory in ICC Intercontinental Cup clash with Canada (ICC press release) -- Posted Friday, July 28 2006
Toronto hosts must-win game for last year’s finalists from Africa
Cricket Kenya Chairman Samir Inamdar has admitted his side desperately needs to beat fellow Group B side Canada in Toronto if it is to maintain its pursuit of a place in the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup for a second successive year.
Kenya, losing finalists to Ireland in 2005, failed to gain a point from its opening encounter against the Netherlands in Nairobi back in April.
And with only one side from each of the two groups going through to the final of the first-class competition for non-Test playing sides this time around, Inamdar admitted the pressure was on his players to produce a result in the four-day match starting on Saturday.
“If we don’t win then our chances are pretty much scuppered,” he said.
“The Netherlands are riding high in the group (after collecting the six points available for a first innings lead against Kenya) and the Bermuda – Canada match (starting on 12 August) is likely to be critical, but we have got to be realistic – we have to win.”
But despite the pressure of having to perform, Inamdar believes his side has the credentials to produce a positive result.
“We have got Steve Tikolo, Kennedy Otieno, Collins Obuya and Hitesh Modi amongst others, all experienced players used to winning, and they know what to do,” he said.
Not for the first time, veteran captain Tikolo – who, along with Modi, has been playing league cricket in the UK – is likely to be a key figure in deciding the fate of this match.
Last year’s leading run-scorer in the tournament with 751 runs, Tikolo opened this campaign with an unbeaten 212 against the Netherlands that ensured his side did not lose and his will be the wicket Canada will prize above all others.
The Kenya squad shows five changes from the one that was on duty in that previous match.
Out goes fast bowler Alfred Luseno and swing bowler Rajesh Bhudia, both injured on the recent Kenya A tour of Denmark.
Also sidelined is all-rounder Kalpesh Patel, ruled out by work commitments, while fellow all-rounder Ashish Karia and batsman-wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma have been dropped.
Ouma’s spot behind the stumps is set to go to Kennedy Otieno with the veteran recalled after losing his place through a combination of form and disciplinary issues while jack-of-all-trades Jimmy Kamande is also back.
Seam bowler Nehemiah Odhiambo, who featured in last year’s ICC Winter Training Camp in South Africa, is included and two other uncapped players, batsman-wicketkeeper Timothy Muange and left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya have been chosen.
“Both are products of the U/19 system and that is important because it is a time of rebuilding and we want to get the youngsters in the frame,” said Inamdar.
“Hiren is someone Roger (Harper, the Kenya coach) is very keen on and could be a major slow-bowling option for the Cricket World Cup while Timothy is a young opening batsman who also fills a role on this trip as a back-up ‘keeper to Kennedy.”
Canada coach Andy Pick said the match will be a good indicator of the progress his side is making.
“When we played in the ODI tri-series in Trinidad in May (against Bermuda and Zimbabwe, losing both matches) we were coming out of our winter and we had not played on grass in the build-up,” he said.
“We have not got the crutch of that excuse this time and we have got to step up because this is a game we need to win.”
The Canada squad got together on Wednesday ahead of two days of practice on grass, something considered vital to its chances as most league matches in the country take place on matting surfaces.
In the same way that Tikolo is a talisman for Kenya, off-spinning all-rounder John Davison fills the same role for the home side and he takes his place in the side after surgery on his right elbow to remove a bone spur.
Canada is without batsman Ian Billcliff because of work commitments as a teacher in New Zealand, although he will be back for the match against Bermuda.
His place in the squad is taken by Pubudu Dassanayaka and the veteran former Sri Lanka international will be relied upon, along with Geoff Barnett and Stewart Heaney, to post sizeable contributions.
In left-arm swing bowler Umar Bhatti and fast bowler Henry Osinde – two players that impressed at the Winter Training Camp – Canada have potentially the best opening attack in Associate cricket.
And the squad also includes two left-arm spinners, Naresh Patel and Puvendran Ravishankar.
After a long lead-up to the side’s opening ICC Intercontinental Cup match this season, former England U/19 coach Pick is keen to get started and is optimistic about Canada’s long-term playing strength.
“Having been around and seeing what I have seen, I think there is enough natural talent around for Canada to be potentially the top Associate country,” he said.
The other sides in Group B are Bermuda – which plays it first match, against Canada starting on 12 August – and the Netherlands.
Group A is already shaping up as a battle of the two previous winners with both the 2004 champions Scotland and last year’s winners Ireland, off to winning starts, each with a victory over Namibia in May. The other side in that group, the United Arab Emirates, is yet to start its campaign.
The final, set to take place in the first half of 2007, will be between the two group winners.
A new format this year means sides will play a minimum of three four-day matches in this tournament, increasing to seven four-day matches in 2007 and 2008 when it is hoped the event will be a full round-robin format.
That compares to a minimum of just two three-day matches per year under the previous structure which, until the semi-finals, was regionally-based rather than global.
The ICC Intercontinental Cup began in 2004 to give the leading players from Associate sides the chance to improve by exposing them to a longer form of the game.
The umpires for the match include Roger Dill, a member of the ICC Associate and Affiliate International Panel.
The two sides play two ODIs against each other, on 5 and 6 August, with all-rounder George Coddrington, slow-left arm spinner Kevin Sandher, right-arm medium-pace bowler Sanjayam Thuraisingam and veteran batsman Desmond Chumney coming into the Canada squad.
Canada (from): John Davison (captain), Qaiser Ali, Ashish Bagai (wicketkeeper), Geoff Barnett, Umar Bhatti, Pubudu Dassanayaka, Sunil Dhaniram, Haninder Dhillon, Stewart Heaney, Don Maxwell, Henry Osinde, Naresh Patel, Puvendran Ravishankar
Kenya (from): Steve Tikolo (captain), Jimmy Kamande, Tanmay Mishra, Hitesh Modi, Timothy Muange, Collins Obuya, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, Kennedy Otieno (wicketkeeper), Brijal Patel, Tony Suji, Hiren Varaiya.
Umpires: Roger Dill & Courtney Young.
(ICC press release)
Royal Cricket Cup 2006 -- Posted Friday, July 28 2006
The announcement for the Royal Cricket Cup 2006 was made on June 12th, 2006 in Brampton, Ontario. In attendance were former test batsman for West Indies Mr. Larry Gomes who was part of the team that reached the 1983 Cricket World Cup Final in England, Mr. Amarjeet Sidhu twice winner of the Canada Medals, Ms. Linda Jeffrey MPP Brampton Centre, Mr. Elvin Pompey President of Maple Leaf Canada and Mr. Danny Persaud.
The Royal Cricket Cup is expected to promote cricket at a professional and national level among the various communities living in Canada, including Caribbean, Sri Lankan, Indian, Pakistani, South African, Australian, and British to name a few.
The top 32 teams across Canada will be accepted to compete in the tournament. The Royal Cricket Cup 2006 brings cash and prizes worth more than $40,000. The winning team will receive $10,000 + Royal Cup.
The tournament will take place August 1st to 13th. The opening ceremony and regular matches will be held at Maple Leaf CC, King City (north of Toronto). The final match and closing ceremony will take place on August 13th at Sunnybrook, East York (Toronto).
A tradition and culture that surpasses most sports, cricket is followed by over 2 billion people around the globe, making it one of the most famous games in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, England, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the West Indies.
Article sourced from:- http://www.royalcricketcup.com/News.html
Canada prepare for international test. Four-day matches present new challenge -- Posted Friday, July 28 2006
Canada's cricket team had a four-hour practice session at Toronto's Ross Lord Park on Thursday in preparation for their forthcoming home international matches.
The first game starts on Saturday (July 29) against Kenya at Maple Leaf CC, King City. This is a four-day game in the ICC Intercontinental Cup competition. Play is from 10am until , approximately, 5pm each day
Andy Pick, Canada's coach, was pleased that so many of the players took time off work to prepare together for several key matches. "It is good to get the team together with as many players as possible," he said. "The session gets them away from work, their families and other distractions and allows them to focus on the game this weekend."
Asked about the team's prospects for this weekend's games, Pick said "A lot will depend on the wicket. For a lot of our guys it will be their first experience of four-day games. We have to educate them on four-day play."
Earlier, he had told the players that if the team wins the toss and bat they would aim to bat for a long time - perhaps a day and a half - to build a solid total. "We need to improve our approach to batting, based on what I saw in Trinidad and league cricket around the Toronto area. We need application at the crease."
Pick said of Kenyan captain and batting danger-man Steve Tikolo. "He's got a lot or runs and we respect him. We have quality bowlers who can get him. Our opening bowlers [Henry Osinde and Umar Bhatti] are widely recognised as the best pair in the ICC Associate nations."
Preparations continue on Friday with a fitness assessment at the Mayfair Club (Woodbine Avenue, north of Steeles Ave) and resumes at Ross Lord Park in the afternoon, around 1 pm. Pick told how the Mayfair Club had been `very accommodating'.
It was good to see the players working well together, lead by Pick, John Davison, the captain, and the experienced Pubudu Dassanayake. Due to wet conditions, they were unable to use the grass wickets but hope to be on them on Friday.
Eddie Norfolk
July 28, 2006
Article sourced from:- http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/canada/content/story/254812.html
Selection by Executive edict -- Posted Thursday, July 27 2006
It would appear that the Executive of the CCA have made the national team selections, and have usurped the authority of the appointed Selectors.
The salient phrase, dated July 19, is "CCA Names Squads for Intercontinental Cup and One Day Internationals".
The following is cut and pasted from the Canadian Cricket Association web site at
http://www.canadiancricket.org/index.jsp?page_id=060718-SQUADS!.
CCA Names Squads for Intercontinental Cup and One Day Internationals
July 19, 2006
Team Canada for Intercontinental Cup versus Kenya
July 29 - Aug. 1st & Bermuda, August 12th to 15th
1. John Davison
2. Qaiser Ali
3. Ashish Bagai
4. Geoff Barnett
5. Umar Bhatti
6. Ian Billcliff*
7. Pubudu Dassanayaka*
8. Sunil Dhaniram
9. Haninder Dhillon
10. Stewart Heaney
11. Don Maxwell
12. Henry Osinde
13. Naresh Patel
14. Puvendran Ravishankar
*Note: Dassanayaka is replaced by Ian Billcliff for the second I-Cup game against Bermuda from the 12th to the 15th August.
Team Canada for the 2 ODIs versus Kenya - Aug. 5th, 6th
1. John Davison
2. Qaiser Ali
3. Ashish Bagai
4. Umar Bhatti
5. Desmond Chumney
6. George Codrington
7. Sunil Dhaniram
8. Haninder Dhillon
9. Stewart Heaney
10. Nicholas Ifill
11. Don Maxwell
12. Henry Osinde
13. Kevin Sandher
14. Sanjay Thuraisingam
Team Canada for the ODI versus Bermuda - August 19th
1. John Davison
2. Ashish Bagai
3. Umar Bhatti
4. Ian Billcliff
5. Desmond Chumney
6. Austin Codrington
7. George Codrington
8. Sunil Dhaniram
9. Haninder Dhillon
10. Stewart Heaney
11. Nicholas Ifill
12. Don Maxwell
13. Kevin Sandher
14. Surendra Seeraj
The squad for the upcoming WCL Division 1 Americas Championship will be named shortly. Please note the second ODI against Bermuda on the 21st will serve as the first game of the WCL Div 1.
As the old song goes "when will they ever learn". (Jon Harris).
Canada decline to host ODI series -- Posted Thursday, July 27 2006
Canada has declined to host the proposed one-day series between India and the West Indies in September. Lalit Modi, the BCCI vice-president, has disclosed that the Indian board received confirmation from the Canada Cricket Association (CCA) of their unwillingness to host the series this year.
This is a further jolt to a series shrouded in doubt after it was recently reported that the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) had threatened to boycott the series after a breach of contract. According to players, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) had entered into a deal with its Indian counterparts without consulting them.
Modi has said that India's next move was to find new competition and a new venue. "As far as the proposal to play a bilateral series at a neutral venue is concerned, we are still examining the possibilities," he told The Indian Express. "West Indies may not necessarily be the team nor Canada the venue. There are several other options available as far as a neutral venue is concerned. We can play in Asia [Singapore or Hong Kong] or the US or maybe Europe [Netherlands]. We had never confirmed Canada as a venue for any such series, nor West Indies as an opponent. In fact, their association got in touch with us to inform that they will not be able to play host to any proposed series this year."
Canada hosting the series in the future remains a likely option. "The CCA is ready to play host to any such proposed series from next year," Modi continued. "This is not pyjama cricket. We are not going to host something that is out of the ICC's Future Tours Programme. Likewise, every other aspect, like the teams, the venue, the facilities, will be taken into account well in advance before any confirmation comes about."
Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, remained confident of India finding another side to play against. "We have New Zealand, Australia and other teams who have shown genuine interest," he said. "If the West Indies do not want to play, it is their problem, not ours. We are flooded with offers."
A spokesman from the WICB was quoted by the Indian Express as commenting that "the matter would be sorted out amicably, in time. The players are yet to be updated about any such proposed series and there will definitely be a discussion held in this regard."
Article sourced from:- http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/canada/content/story/254055.html
“Newsletter” OVCC -- Posted Thursday, July 27 2006
There were only four matches last weekend – all outside Rideau Hall as a result of the CHEO picnic at the Governor General’s residence.
At Lynda Lane 1, Canterbury hosted New Edinburgh in a Citizen match and came away with a somewhat lopsided 110 run victory: Canterbury – 231 for 9 [45 ov] (Vikram Arora 114 {133 bls, 4 fours, 5 sixes}, Dinesh Sharma 16* {12 bls, 2 sixes}, Steve Pinhey 5 for 37 and 3 catches); New Edinburgh – 121 [36.4 ov] (Steve Pinhey 47 {33 bls, 5 fours, 3 sixes}, Bilal Latif 3 for 13, Rochak Mehta 3 for 19 and 2 catches, Sharick Siddiqui 2 for 15).
In a normal game, a century on the one hand or five wickets, three catches and nearly a half-century on the other would have been sufficient to garner Man of the Match honours for a player. However, since both these stellar performances occurred in the same match, the adjudicators had little choice but to jointly award the Man of the Match to Vikram Arora and Steve Pinhey.
In Barrhaven, visiting Cathedral extended their Challenge Division lead with a five wicket win over Exodus.
Exodus – 192 for 7 [45 ov] (Vernon John 22 {1 six}, Edwardo Campbell 25 {1 four, 2 sixes}, Dennis Fernandez 31 {2 fours}, Navam Navaratnam 21 {1four, 1 six}, Brian Ganness 27 {3 fours, 1 six}, Dave Naylor 2 for 32):
Cathedral – 194 for 5 [41.5 ov] (Riad Khan 50 {102 bls, 3 fours}, Tony Forde 18 {15 bls, 2 fours, 1 six}, Shailesh Masih 17 {28 bls, 1 six}, Tobie Edmund 49* {50 bls, 2 fours, 2 sixes}, Panch Panjalingam 2 for 44, Siva Thurairasa 2 for 38).
For the second time on the day, the Man of the Match was awarded jointly – to Riad Khan and Tobie Edmund.
Canterbury moved into second place in the Challenge via a 63 run win over Defence: Canterbury – 166 [44.5 ov] (Kamran Raza 24 {67 bls, 3 fours}, Amit Barave 33 {75 bls, 1 four}, Akber Hussain 42 {31 bls, 2 fours, 4 sixes}, Khoshal Nasery 2 for 8, Delawar Ahmedzai 4 for 31, Kasun Perera and Kaleem Hassan 2 ct each); Defence – 103 [31.3 ov] (Varun Harish 34 {32 bls, 3 sixes}, Kaleem Hassan 15* {12 bls, 2 sixes}, Akber Hussain 2 for 17, Rochak Mehta 4 for 11, Kamran Raza 2 ct, 1 st & 2 RO).
Man of the Match honours went to Canterbury skipper Akber Hussain.
At the Bill Levesque Sport Field, Exodus moved to within one point – although they have two games in hand – of Ottawa in the race to avoid the Challenge Division basement via a 52 run victory over the oldest club: Exodus – 157 [44.3 ov] (Abiruban Chandrabose 27 {71 bls, 1 four}, Dennis Fernandez 31 {55 bls, 1 four}, Nabiullah Nawabi 24 33 bls, 1 four}, Rayyaan Jameel 3 for 35, Steve Chinnatamby 2 for 35, Chaminda Weerakoon 3 for 16); Ottawa – 105 [35.3 ov] (Steve Chinnatamby 34 {42 bls, 2 fours}, Chaminda Weerakoon 30 {66 bls, 1 four}, Abiruban Chandrabose 3 for 29, Edwardo Campbell 2 for 24, Vernon John 2 ct).
For top scoring for his team (second consecutive day and with the identical score no less), for nine overs of tight bowling and for his stellar fielding, Dennis Fernandez was named Man of the Match.
John Lexmond
OVCC Statistician
Cricket BC Names Canada Cup Squad -- Posted Thursday, July 27 2006
Cricket BC has named the 2006 Canada Cup Squad.
The Canada Cup is an under-18 national tournament taking place in Edmonton, August 7th -11th.
Congratulations to all of the players who were selected to represent British Columbia.
1. Asad Khan (Capt.) (Richmond C.C.)
2. Tanzil Ur Rehman (Colts C.C.)
3. Thanna Kooparan (West Coast Tamils C.C.)
4. Inykaran Tharma (West Coast Tamils C.C.)
5. Rob White (Meraloma C.C.)
6. Chris Duke (Colts C.C.)
7. Andy Ghalley (Colts C.C.)
8. Bilal Qaiser (North Shore C.C.)
9. Sandeep Khandpur (Richmond C.C.)
10. Rahul Devraj (Richmond C.C.)
11. Parry Pasricha (Meraloma C.C.)
12. Satnam Rhandhawa (North Shore C.C.)
13. Mandeep Rehan (Windies C.C.)
Officials
Manager/B.C. Selector - Tony Cordle
Coach - Kevin Sandher
SOCA Juniors lose nail biter game to OVCC Juniors by 13 runs -- Posted Thursday, July 27 2006
South Ontario Cricket Assocation juniors hosted the Ottawa Valley CC Juniors for the OCA Junior Championship game at the park in Waterloo, Ontario.
With all schools exams over, this is the first time SOCA was able to mobilize some of the better players to play against OVCC.
After winning the toss OVCC elected to bat. Following a slow start (98/3 in 31 Overs), OVCC managed to pull 199 all out in 43.3 overs (101 runs in last 12.3 overs). All credit goes to brilliant knock by Mustafa Popalazi (96 runs 12 fours and 3 Sixes).
Under pressure SOCA, after a shaky start (15/4) to excellent line and length bowling from Lohit (9-0-35-5), 16 year old Abdullaha took charge of the game and scored 79 runs (6 fours and 6 sixes), who received excellent mentoring from Captain Mansoor (50 runs 4 Fours and a Six). Mansoor and Abdullah built a crucial partnership of 120 runs and brought back the game to SOCA.
After losing Abdullah and Mansoor, OVCC came back to the game. SOCA lost their wickets at regular intervals and scored 186 all out in 38 overs.
All credit and thanks to the OVCC team who traveled from Ottawa and some of the SOCA players who traveled from Windsor.
Report by Yogesh Shah
Strengthened Barbados Cricket League beat Toronto Cricket Academy -- Posted Thursday, July 27 2006
The Barbados Cricket League Juniors (BCL) called in the reinforcements for the match with Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) on Friday July 21. Having been dismissed for 88 by Grenada Schools and 53 by Bermuda Schools, three National Under-19 players were in the team that faced the TCA.
Island pride was clearly at stake as the BCL were just ahead of the TCA in the Group A standings going into this match. The moves paid off as the BCL won by 6 wickets.
TCA batted first, openers Kaustubh Thakore and Nitish Kumal adding 22 before Nitish was out for 7. Kauatubh went on to make 21 and was the mainstay of the early batting on a hot day at the Conrad Hunte ground, located in the north-east corner of the island.
Unfortunately, the rest of the batting made little impact, until Parth Raval made 18, batting at number 10. He added 26 for the last wicket with Tejas Kittur. The TCA was all out for 111. The BCL had four bowlers who each took 2 wickets.
There was an early missed chance when BCL replied. Slow-left arm bowler Viren Patel was used as one of the opening bowlers in a bid to gain a breakthrough and control the early runs. He bowled his 8 overs for 27 runs.
The BCL lost their first wicket just after a delayed lunch (the food had not arrived by the change of innings). All the batsmen got into double figures. The main damage was done by opener Jonathan Carter (36, including 1x6) with support from Roger Williams (22 not out) and Dario Babb (24, including 1x6). The BCL won by 6 wickets.
At least 8 of their side had not played in the previous match against the TCA. One of their supporting entourage commented towards the end of this match that it was the first time the BCL had looked like a team. They also hoped ‘it won’t be twenty years before you come back’, referring to the long gap since early Canadian participation in this tournament.
It was a personal disappointment that the TCA did not pull off a win in the nine games they played, but the caliber of opposition was high in this group. One of the major gains from this event was the experience of playing against those of a high standard in conditions much different to those in Toronto (heat and pitch conditions).
The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation had a camera and reporter on hand in the early going. Highlights were to be shown in the evening news program. Former West Indies test player Franklin Stevenson attended the later stages of the game.
The TCA arrived back at the Rostrevor Hotel to find the Grenada Schools players celebrating their overall win of Group A. Grenada will play the champions of the individual schools on Wednesday, July 27 at the Banks Brewery ground.
A wrap-up of the tour will be posted soon after we know the overall tournament winners.
Footnote:
On the previous Friday, these teams met at Drax Hall, where the BCL pulled off a win by two wickets in a match reduced by rain to 26 overs a side. Canadian High Commissioner Sir Michael Welsh and his wife graciously attended much of this match.
Har Kothari top scored for the TCA with 33. Jay Trivadi made 16, Viren Patel 12 and Kaustubh Thakore 11. Rain interrupted the innings in the sixth over.
The TCA, defending 105-8, seemed to be on a path to victory but there were three expensive overs in the late going that cost 30 runs. BCL won with 4 balls to spare, reaching 106-8. Six more wides conceded than the BCL looked large in the final analysis.
T. Sealey made 20. TCA skipper Viren Patel bowled a fine spell of 6-1-10-0, with Rohan Kittur taking 4-22 in his 6 overs.
Cliff Cox Medal - BCMCL Premier Division Best and Fairest Player -- Posted Wednesday, July 26 2006
The Cliff Cox Medal will be awarded annually to the ‘Best and Fairest’ player in the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League Premier Division as voted by the Umpires throughout the regular season. It will be the most prestigious award and the highest individual honour that can be bestowed on a Premier Division player and will be named after Cliff Cox, in recognition of his contribution to the game in Vancouver.
At the conclusion of each Premier Division game, the Umpires officiating at each match will agree, and jointly award 6 votes per game. The best player during the game as adjudged by the Umpires will receive 3 votes, the second best 2 votes and the third best 1 vote. Players from both sides should be considered.
The award is similar to the ‘3 Stars’ in Hockey but also takes into account playing the game in the spirit of cricket i.e. behaviour towards umpires, team mates and the opposition etc.
The votes should recognise, and reward, the players whose conduct and ability contributed:
i) To the game in the best spirit of cricket, and
ii) The best chance of winning the game for his team.
Any player who has been suspended by the Protest and Discipline Committee during the season will be ruled ineligible to win the award, although they will still be eligible to receive votes in matches they play after they have served their suspension.
The votes will be recorded by the Umpires on the stats sheet. The results will be entered into CricketStar system and will remain confidential until the end of the season.
In the event where two or more players have an equal number of total votes at the completion of the last match, each player will receive a medal and be deemed the winner.
SOCA Juniors lose nail biter game to OVCC Juniors by 13 runs -- Posted Wednesday, July 26 2006
The Southern Ontario Cricket Association juniors hosted Ottawa Vallley Crciket Council Juniors for the Ontario Cricket Association Junior Championship game at the park in Waterloo, Ontario .
With all schools exams over, this is the first time SOCA was able to mobilize some of the better players to play against OVCC.
After winning the toss OVCC elected to bat. Following a slow start (98/3 in 31 Overs), OVCC managed to pull 199 all out in 43.3 overs (101 runs in last 12.3 overs). All credit goes to brilliant knock by Mustafa Popalazi (96 runs 12 fours and 3 Sixes).
Under pressure SOCA, after a shaky start (15/4) to excellent line and length bowling from Lohit (9-0-35-5), 16 year old Abdullaha took charge of the game and scored 79 runs (6 fours and 6 sixes), who received excellent mentoring from Captain Mansoor (50 runs 4 Fours and a Six). Mansoor and Abdullah built a crucial partnership of 120 runs and brought back the game to SOCA.
After losing Abdullah and Mansoor, OVCC came back to the game. SOCA lost their wickets at regular intervals and scored 186 all out in 38 overs.
All credit and thanks to the OVCC team who traveled from Ottawa and some of the SOCA players who traveled from Windsor. (Yogesh Shah)
Strengthened Barbados Cricket League beat Toronto Cricket Academy -- Posted Wednesday, July 26 2006
The Barbados Cricket League Juniors (BCL) called in the reinforcements for the match with Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) on Friday July 21. Having been dismissed for 88 by Grenada Schools and 53 by Bermuda Schools, three National Under-19 players were in the team that faced the TCA.
Island pride was clearly at stake as the BCL were just ahead of the TCA in the Group A standings going into this match. The moves paid off as the BCL won by 6 wickets.
TCA batted first, openers Kaustubh Thakore and Nitish Kumal adding 22 before Nitish was out for 7. Kauatubh went on to make 21 and was the mainstay of the early batting on a hot day at the Conrad Hunte ground, located in the north-east corner of the island. Unfortunately, the rest of the batting made little impact, until Parth Raval made 18, batting at number 10. He added 26 for the last wicket with Tejas Kittur. The TCA was all out for 111. The BCL had four bowlers who each took 2 wickets.
There was an early missed chance when BCL replied. Slow-left arm bowler Viren Patel was used as one of the opening bowlers in a bid to gain a breakthrough and control the early runs. He bowled his 8 overs for 27 runs.
The BCL lost their first wicket just after a delayed lunch (the food had not arrived by the change of innings). All the batsmen got into double figures. The main damage was done by opener Jonathan Carter (36, including 1x6) with support from Roger Williams (22 not out) and Dario Babb (24, including 1x6). The BCL won by 6 wickets.
At least 8 of their side had not played in the previous match against the TCA. One of their supporting entourage commented towards the end of this match that it was the first time the BCL had looked like a team. They also hoped ‘it won’t be twenty years before you come back’, referring to the long gap since early Canadian participation in this tournament.
It was a personal disappointment that the TCA did not pull off a win in the nine games they played, but the caliber of opposition was high in this group.
One of the major gains from this event was the experience of playing against those of a high standard in conditions much different to those in Toronto (heat and pitch conditions).
The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation had a camera and reporter on hand in the early going . Highlights were to be shown in the evening news program. Former West Indies test player Franklin Stevenson attended the later stages of the game.
The TCA arrived back at the Rostrevor Hotel to find the Grenada Schools players celebrating their overall win of Group A. Grenada will play the champions of the individual schools on Wednesday, July 27 at the Banks Brewery ground.
A wrap-up of the tour will be posted soon after we know the overall tournament winners.
Footnote:
On the previous Friday, these teams met at Drax Hall, where the BCL pulled off a win by two wickets in a match reduced by rain to 26 overs a side. Canadian High Commissioner Sir Michael Welsh and his wife graciously attended much of this match.
Har Kothari top scored for the TCA with 33. Jay Trivadi made 16, Viren Patel 12 and Kaustubh Thakore 11. Rain interrupted the innings in the sixth over.
The TCA, defending 105-8, seemed to be on a path to victory but there were three expensive overs in the late going that cost 30 runs. BCL won with 4 balls to spare, reaching 106-8. Six more wides conceded than the BCL looked large in the final analysis.
T. Sealey made 20. TCA skipper Viren Patel bowled a fine spell of 6-1-10-0, with Rohan Kittur taking 4-22 in his 6 overs.
Report submitted by Eddie Norfolk
A letter from the only cricket bat maker in North America -- Posted Wednesday, July 26 2006
I recently read in your forum pages that Slazenger had just made a deal with the Canadian National side to supply them with their team jerseys. While this is welcome news for the players and the C.C.A. the sponsor announced that they will supply seven players with equipment.
One would assume that some bats are included in that offer. The remaining players would presumably already have a sponsor in place. As the only cricket bat maker in North America I felt it my duty, in the spirit of promoting cricket, that I offer my services to coach Pick and the players.
As well as offering custom made bats I was prepared to offer my shop and skills to repair and maintain the existing equipment. One would think that having local technical support at your disposal, not to mention the monetary rewards( free support) a representative of the C.C.A. would be banging down my shop door. Not the case however as I was to receive no reply.
Slazenger has limitless resources and to compete against such a giant when you only have passion as your main motive is insurmountable. What beguiles me though is that the very body (C.C.A.) that is supposed to tap into, indeed, nurture that passion, seem to clearly miss the mark. If they question my motives then that's fine. I make no apologies for promoting this game and if I dare to dream of one day becoming the best cricket bat maker that I can and seeing my logo on the field, I make none for that either.
If others can expound on dream stadiums and test status in this decade then surely some of us can do our parts in order to attain some loftier aspirations. I know that with the Slazenger sponsorship (contract) there will be no "Zoom" bats held high at Beasejour Stadium in 07. I dare to dream despite the administrations past, present and future attempts to quash them.
Mark Warburton "Zoom" cricket bats of Aurora
A letter regarding inter-University/College cricket -- Posted Tuesday, July 25 2006
Hey Guys!!!....hope everyone is having a blast in the summer.
I would like to take this opportunity to announce that, we have been invited to enter into a inter-University/College tournament organized by Canadian Cricket Association. This is a major event and its a great oppurtunity for us to show other universities what we are capable of, and also if we win this, this is going to increase our chances of making cricket an official sport at York University.
Here are some of the details of the tournament.
1) Teams are going to be from various universities and colleges within, and outside, of Ontario.
2) Its a proper cricket ball (hardball) tournament
3) Schedule will be during Aug. 14 - Aug. 19
3) Will be played at G.ROSS LORD Park (12.00 noon onwards)
So, guys as a member of the cricket club you are invited to bring your talents and skills to our selection meeting, which will take place on Friday July 28th @ 6.00 PM at the Keele Reservior, which is the ground located at the intersection of Keele/ Steeles.
Now, I know this is too short of a notice but we were not informed about this until last saturday(July 22nd). So, if you are interested please contact us by this Wednesday July 26th.
Contact information is as follows:
1) Mahjuj Sourav
cricyork@gmail.com
2) Chirag Shah
cricyork@gmail.com
647 299 7424
Regards,
Chirag Shah.
Vice President / Treasurer
Cricket Club @ York University
Royal Cricket Cup 2006 -- Posted Tuesday, July 25 2006
The announcement for the Royal Cricket Cup 2006 was made on June 12th, 2006 in Brampton, Ontario. In attendance were former test batsman for West Indies Mr. Larry Gomes who was part of the team that reached the 1983 Cricket World Cup Final in England, Mr. Amarjeet Sidhu twice winner of the Canada Medals, Ms. Linda Jeffrey MPP Brampton Centre, Mr. Elvin Pompey President of Maple Leaf Canada and Mr. Danny Persaud.
The Royal Cricket Cup is expected to promote cricket at a professional and national level among the various communities living in Canada, including Caribbean, Sri Lankan, Indian, Pakistani, South African, Australian, and British to name a few.
The top 32 teams across Canada will be accepted to compete in the tournament. The Royal Cricket Cup 2006 brings cash and prizes worth more than $40,000. The winning team will receive $10,000 + Royal Cup.
The tournament will take place August 1st to 13th. The opening ceremony and regular matches will be held at Maple Leaf CC, King City (north of Toronto). The final match and closing ceremony will take place on August 13th at Sunnybrook, East York (Toronto).
A tradition and culture that surpasses most sports, cricket is followed by over 2 billion people around the globe, making it one of the most famous games in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, England, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the West Indies.
For more information contact the Royal Cricket Cup 2006 at 7040 Tobram Rd Unit # 9, Mississauga, Ontario. Phone: 905-678-2992. Website: http://www.royalcricketcup.com
Unrest within Canadian camp - cricinfo -- Posted Tuesday, July 25 2006
Canadian players warned: 'Nobody is sure of World Cup place'
Cricinfo staff
July 24, 2006
Canada's preparations for the World Cup, which got off to a wretched start when they were beaten by Zimbabwe and Bermuda in Trinidad in May, resume later this week when they meet Kenya. But on the eve of the game, one of the country's selectors had issued a stark warning to the players.
The discontent within the set-up became public when Errol Townshend, the selector for Ontario, revealed that Austin Ward, the chairman of selectors, issued an unequivocal statement that the starting XIs picked by the national selectors were not to be changed except with the approval of the selectors.
"We had a mess last year against Bermuda in the Intercontinental Cup when the selectors, seeing the batting was weak, picked an extra batsman, only for an extra bowler to be brought in from outside the squad on match day," Townsend explained. "This led directly to our defeat."
In the aftermath of that result - the coach, the captain and the high performance manager - were dismissed.
"Let us hope there will be no need for that this time," Townsend told the Canada Cricket Online website. "All the selectors fully back Ward's directive. Certainly, the nonsense that went on in Trinidad back in May with the coach and the captain won't be tolerated. We are very serious about that. Anyone who messes about with the teams selected does so at their peril.
"As for the players, they must realize they have not performed well since Ireland. The national team program since January has been a disaster: no coach for the indoor season, no warm-up games before the Trinidad series, poor turnout at practices, the coach taking off on holiday in the middle of the season just before a tournament. Still the onus is on the players to shape up. Nobody, but nobody, is sure of a seat on the plane to the Caribbean."
Editorial comment:-
Quite obviously the cricket world is taking note of the internal problems within Canadian cricket. Perhaps we should challenge the administrators to shape up or ship out. (Jon Harris).
Alberta CA Canada Cup Squad -- Posted Tuesday, July 25 2006
The following 13 players will represent Alberta at the Canada Cup u19 Tournament to be held in Edmonton from August 7th - 11th. The 5 participating provinces will take part in a round robin format at Victoria Park and Millwoods Cricket Ground.
1. Talal Paracha - CGY - Capt
2. Zain Ahmed - EDM - VCapt
3. Jaskirat Kahlon - EDM
4. Rizwan Saleem - CGY
5. Akashdeep Brar - CGY
6. Divyang Patel - EDM
7. Sudeeptha Aurka - CGY
8. Yawar Abbas - CGY
9. Hamza Tariq (wk) - CGY
10. Abdullah Raheem - EDM
11. Daniyal Fahim - CGY
12. Raoul Breytenbach - EDM
13. Ashish Deed - EDM
Coach: Abe Moore
Manager: Rathan Moorthy
Canada Cup Participants:
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec.
Cricket for Cancer -- Posted Monday, July 24 2006
The second 'Cricket for Cancer' double wicket tournament took place at L' Amoreaux Park, Scarborough, Ontario, on Sunday July 23, 2006.
The event was organized by the Cricket Institute in conjunction with the Canadian Cancer Society.
Sadly, a heavy thunderstorm washed out play after four teams had qualified for the semi-finals. The prize money is being shared equally between these four teams.
The organizers had hoped to raise $10,000 for the Canadian Cricket Society and believed they were close to that target, despite the rain.
We had been hoping to post a notice about this event. Unfortunately, some correspondence with the organizers was lost in cyberspace, and some vacation absences meant we could not follow-up on this event.
Townshend fires warning shot -- Posted Monday, July 24 2006
On the eve of a month of international cricket when Canada’s five selectors will assess the ‘possibles’ for next year’s World cup squad, Errol Townshend, the selector for Ontario, has fired a warning shot across the bow.
Townshend noted that the chairman of the national selectors, Austin Ward, has issued a very clear, strong statement that the starting X1s picked by the national selectors for each game are not to be changed except with the approval of the selectors.
“We had a mess last year against Bermuda in the Intercontinental Cup when the selectors, seeing the batting was weak, picked an extra batsman, only for an extra bowler to be brought in from outside the squad on match day. This led directly to our defeat.
As a result of that fiasco three of the four individuals involved---the coach, the captain and the high performance manager--- were fired. A fourth individual was impeached by the provincial directors and narrowly escaped removal from office.
“Let us hope there will be no need for that this time. All the selectors fully back Chairman Ward’s directive. Certainly, the nonsense that went on in Trinidad back in May with the coach and the captain won’t be tolerated. We are very serious about that. Anyone who messes about with the teams selected does so at their peril.
“As for the players, they must realize they have not performed well since Ireland. The national team program since January has been a disaster: no coach for the indoor season, no warmup games before the Trinidad series, poor turnout at practices, the coach taking off on holiday in the middle of the season just before a tournament. Still the onus is on the players to shape up. Nobody, but nobody, is sure of a seat on the plane to the Caribbean.”
CCA declines to host West Indies-India series -- Posted Friday, July 21 2006
CricInfo reports
"Canada has declined to host the proposed one-day series between India and the West Indies in September. Lalit Modi, the BCCI vice-president, has disclosed that the Indian board received confirmation from the Canada Cricket Association (CCA) of their unwillingness to host the series this year."
The reasons for this are unclear- perhaps the lack of a suitable venue. such a series might inject some much needed cash into the CCA's coffers, so the decining of the invitation would not be undertaken lightly. The article goes on to report that the CCA is still interested in hosting future series.
Full article
Bermuda Schools beat Toronto Cricket Academy -- Posted Thursday, July 20 2006
Bermuda Schools beat the Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) by 9 wickets on Tursday July 20th in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament .The match was played at North Stars ground, Crabb Hill, St .Lucy Parish.
TCA batted first but did not repeat the recent progress in their early batting, instaed losing 3 quick wickets. Har Kothari (13) and Viren Patel (12) started a recovery but spiiners Rodney Trott and Tamori Tucker then got to work. The latter stages of the innigs saw a good knock from Arsalan Qadir, who moved well to the pitch of the ball. He made 24 and was aided by 13 from Har Kotak.
Bermuda captain Oronde Bascome survived a confident appeal for a catch at the wicket, but after hitting a 6 was out for 13 (20-1). Terryn Fray and Rodney Trott each made 24 not out as Bermuda secured a comfortable win.
The TCA play the Barbados Cricket League Juniors on Friday in what will be their final game before returning to Toronto. I am sure all Canadian cricket fans will join me in wishing the TCA every success in this game. It has been a gruelling experience for the young players but their spirits remain high.
Footnote
Bermuda Schools and the TCA met last week at Bridgefield Sports Centre (Wednesday July 14) .A brief but heavy storm caused the Bermuda innings to be disrupted, and the game was further delayed as the new covers did not arrive at the ground until after the storm.
The match eventually became 24 overs per side. Bermuda made 105-7, thanks mostly to middle-order contributions from Malachi Jones (27) and Craig Douglas (22).
Opener Kastubh Takore made 13 but was one of five TCA batsmen to fall to Rodney Trott. Har Kotak made 21 batting at numbre 8. The TCA made 92 and lost by 13 runs.
Batting Getting There but TCA beaten by strong Grenada Schools Side -- Posted Wednesday, July 19 2006
The Toronto Cricket Academy made a solid start against Grenada Schools on Wednesday July 19 at Lears Cricket Ground, Barbados. Kaustubh Thakore (36) and Nitish Kumar (17) shared an opening stand of 66 .Sadly, the middle order were not able to capitalize on this position but Arsalan Qadir (20) and Miles Packeer (29 not out) shared an excellent stand of 42 for the 7th wicket. Rohan Kittur (10 not out) hit a couple of boundaries in the last over as the TCA reached 144-7 in their 40 overs.
Grenada Schools set off at a flying pace and it proved hard for the TCA to regain control of this reply. Captain Viren Patel rang the bowling changes and he proved the most economical of the bowlers with 5 overs, 0 maindes, 26 runs and 1 wicket. His victim was opener Lenon Lawrence who fell for 82 with just 2 runs needed for victory. Lawrence's knock included 5 x 6s and 9 x.4s. Michael Narine scored 28 and took part in a partnership of 82 for Grenada's second wicket.
The TCA are playnig more games than originally scheduled, due to a couple of teams not making it to Barbados. The team's arrival in Barbados was delayed for most of one day due to problems with a plane and a detour via Trinidad. This has meant the TCA squad has played solid cricket in midweek, with no time for practice sessions outside those matches. The squad are certainly gaining experience of playing against various national representative teams, which should serve them well in their future cricketing endeavours.
Footnote:
On Tuesday July 11, Grenada Schools beat the TCA by 100 runs at Brereton C.C. This was the TCA\s opening match of the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament.
Grenada were all out for 181 (37.1 overs) with Michael Narine making 39 and Devon Walcott 34. Parth Raval took 3-44 in 8 overs but skipper Viren Patel wsa the most economical TCA bowler with 9-4-20-2. Viren then top-scored with 21 of the TCA's 81 (27,1 overs). Nabeel Quieshi made 19. Gar yCharles took 4-11 and Robin Enoe 3-21 for Grenada Schools.
Dominica Schools defeat Toronto Cricket Academy -- Posted Tuesday, July 18 2006
Dominica Schools beat the Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) by 4 wickets on Tuesday, July 18, in Group A of the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament. The game was played at Hoyte Village in St James Parish, located in the northern part of the island.
The TCA showed some continued improvement on a track the TCA President and Coach, Brian Hayle, described as 'a bit difficult to bat on'.
Openers Kastubh Thakore (16) and Nitish Kumar (5) made a solid start, adding 26 for the first wicket. Akshaan Kaul (20) then came in and batted well. Later, Arsalan Qadir made 16 not out, coming in at number 7, and was given good late order support by Parth Raval (10). The TCA were all out for 121 ,losing 4 wickets to run outs.
Dominica also made a solid start and their openers were not parted until the score reached 62. The innings continued to progress steadily ,aided by a continuing problem of some TCA bowlers giving away wides .This topic is a regular feature of the coach's pre- and post-game reviews with his players. Hopefully the lessons have now been learned but in this week's two games there have been 22 wides v Queens Park and now 28 v Dominica.
Young opener Kavem Hodge made 44 before being caught by Parth Raval off the legspin of Nabeel Quereshi, bowling for the first time in this tour.
The TCA record is now 6 losses from their 6 games and the side face Grenada Schools, Bermuda Schools and the Barbados Cricket League in the rest of this week. Readers may realize that the opposition to the TCA are essentially national select teams; the TCA is a privately-run cricket academy. One of the contacts I have made on this trip was concerned that the Barbados CL side is missing some leading players .The TCA do have excellent people supporting this tour, all of whom would love to see the players break through with a win...or three.
Footnote on last week's encounter
In the opening week of the tournment, Dominica beat the TCA by 40 runs at Crab Hill.
Dominica made 131 all out. Kellon Williams made 40 not out. Supporting scores came from Kaven Hodge (18), Rusheen James (16) and the dreaded extras (29). Part Raval took 4-46 and skipper Viren Patel bowled a tight spell of 8-1-15-0.
The features of the TCA reply of 91 all out were Nabeel Quereshi's 28 and Nitish Kumal's 16. Nyra Stewart took 3-12 in his 8 overs for Dominica.
Toronto Cricket Academy's busy day in Barbados - July 17 -- Posted Tuesday, July 18 2006
The Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) had a busy day in Barbados on Moday July 17. It included an early breakfast and visit to the Canadian High Commission, a mtach with the Queens Park Cricket Centre of Trinidad & Tobago and a post-match talk from West Indies former star Seymour Nurse.
The TCA lost by 85 runs to Queens Park in what will be the only game these sides play in the 20th Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Tournament.
The TCA will play a second set of matches with the other four sides in the group but return to Toronto on Saturday.
Queens Park won the toss and elected to bat. Rohan Kittur and Har Kotak had early succecss with the ball as Queens Park were 14-3. However, a stand of 82 between Kevin Cooper (49) and Keron Malchan (27) started to turn the innings around. The TCA seemed to regain control as the score reached 108-6 but again faced a productive stand. This time it was March Panchu (39*) and Anthony Balgobin (26) who added 70. The innings closed at 184-7 in 40 overs.
Four players had an embryo of an innings for the TCA but none moved on to a big score. Har Kotari, Viren Patel and Arsalan Qadir each made 16 and last man Miles Pacifier made 15 not out. Renaldo Regis took 4-23 and Reggie Ramadhin 3-15.
Spirits remain high in the TCA camp, despite the 5 losses to date. The team will meet Grenada Schools, Dominica Schools, Bermuda Schools and the Barbados Cricket League in the remainder of this week.
Monday had begun with a visit to the Canadian High Commission. After breakfast, Sir Michael Welsh, the High Commissioner, gave a welcoming speech, He outlined the dialogue between himself and TCA President Mr. Brian Hale that had gone on for about a year prior to this tour.
"It is great to have a Canadian team back here. You have already played in all three corners of Barbados." He commended the players "for their stamina" and noted they would have 'seen that cricket is a way of life in Barbados, the home of the World Cup final in 2007."
TCA President, Brian Hale, thanked the High Commissioner, his wife and the staff for the reception. "What you have done is very much appreciated. We feel very much at home here. To the people of Barbados we extend our thanks through the Canadian High Commission. We shall take something away from Barbados we can cherish."
Mr. Hale then presented the High Commissioner with a framed letter of thanks
and a copy of the Canadian Cricket film "Cricket and the Meaning of Life". This film includes coverage of the 2004 TCA tour of Trinidad and Tobago.
TCA Party Meet Seymour Nurse
Following the game with Queens Park, former West Indies star batsman Seymour Nurse gave an enlightening talk to the TCA party.
Mr. Nurse said "It is always good to watch cricket. You watch to learn...you look to see if you can get the extra run. You look rather than listen to music or put your headphones on. If you listen to music you are not focussing on the game - you can't be concentrating." he acknowledged that "pitches here (in the Caribbean) are different to Canada" and that this tournament was a learning experience for the touring party from the TCA.
Mr. Hale thanked Seymour Nurse for spending some time with the TCA team. He also thanked the Canadian High Commissioner who spent a good portion of the day actively supporting the young Canadians in their cricketing efforts.
Charlie Griffith meets the Toronto Cricket Academy Team -- Posted Sunday, July 16 2006
Charlie Griffith’s Message to the Toronto Cricket Academy
All-time West Indian great Charlie Griffith took time to visit the Toronto Cricket Academy’s (TCA) game with Bermuda Schools on Thursday (July 13). Griffith, together with ‘my partner in crime, Wes Hall’, formed one of the most formidable opening bowling combinations in Test Cricket during the 1960’s.
After the game, TCA President Brian Hale assembled his team and introduced Mr. Griffith, or Charlie as he is popularly known. Charlie was welcomed with a handshake, the sign of friendship in cricket - ‘touching the flesh’, as Mr. Hale refers to it. The TCA meet and greet their opponents before each game, handing out a badge with a Canadian flag to all opposing players. A request to wear the badge in future and remember the experience shared on the cricket field accompanies these presentations.
Charlie handed out some leaflets produced by the Barbados Lumber Company, his current employers. He pointed out a picture of himself ‘in his youth’ and asked if the players recognized Rohan Kanhai, the ‘little master of cricket’. For the youngsters who were not brought up in that era, Kanhai was a tremendous batsman…and not that tall.
It was the first time I recall hearing Charlie speak. There is a remarkable contrast between the fear he put into many batsmen and his soft-spoken tones. He commented later that he spoke slowly to the teams so they could absorb his words. That was a great gesture.
His opening advice was simple but effective. “The first thing you have to do is listen….and listen attentively.”
“Cricket is a thinking game. You bowl at those three stumps. You can’t relax on the field. As a youngster I would run all day.” He told the players “energy, …., guts and determination are keys to success.” When his playing days were over he spent five years in coaching.
“In the 60’s, when I played, in those days it was not easy. In Barbados there were two Associations. The elite Barbados Cricket Association and the Barbados Cricket League (BCL). The BCL was for the underprivileged.” He rolled off a number of names – major figures in West Indies and Test Cricket – who had progressed through the BCL. They included Gary Sobers, Wes Hall, Seymour Nurse and Griffith himself. “Nearly half the West Indies team came through the BCL.”
“You have to make sacrifices (if you are to succeed in cricket). You don’t get anything easy in life.” He noted “practice and discipline” as key requirements. “A lot of youngsters don’t know about discipline. You have got to make sacrifices.”
“If there is a game tomorrow, get to bed early so you can rest, so you can play the next day.”
He concluded “I do hope you’ll understand what I’m saying. Each and everyone of us has talents. We must know and harness those talents.” He modestly ended with the words “I was a hard trier”, and a very successful one.
The spirit of cricketing friendship showed through during this speech as the Bermudan players and management joined the TCA and listened to the words of Charlie Griffith – a great cricketer and a great man.
He then freely signed autographs for the young players, and for the support teams and spectators. Thank you, Charlie Griffith.
Note: The TCA narrowly lost to the Barbados Cricket League on Friday. TCA made 105 and Barbados CL won in the 26trh over.
Gary Sobers welcomes Toronto Cricket Academy to Barbados -- Posted Sunday, July 16 2006
ROUSING WELCOME TO BARBADOS GALA FROM GARY SOBERS
AND COLOURFUL TRADITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT
The touring Toronto Cricket Academy team, along with the other participating teams from various countries, attended the Gala night celebration of the 20th Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament on Monday July10. The great man – introduced as His Excellency Sir Garfield Sobers, but still known as Gary or Sir Gary by his longtime admirers, is still lovingly described many of those followers as the greatest all-rounder in the world. West Indies cricket moved to the top of the world during Sobers’ era.
This year’s tournament, in the words of the new Chair of Barbados Tourism, has attracted “19 teams putting about 500 people on the island… a tremendous amount of people when July and August are usually a quiet time. Sports tourism is a major thrust. I don’t think anything has done as much for Barbados as this particular tournament.”
He noted that sponsors were very important to the success of the tournament. In a supporting speech there was a commitment from Scotiabank that pledged to support the event over the next twenty years. The role of Scotiabank in Kiddy Cricket in the Caribbean East and the wider Caribbean was noted.
The speeches continued with a Canadian theme. The Toronto Cricket Academy was welcomed as the first Canadian participant since the second tournament. Guelph University had played in the first event, with special dispensation to allow 21-year olds on the team.
Sir Michael Walsh, Canada’s High Commissioner, made a brief speech of welcome to all participants. Then, Toronto Cricket Academy President, Brian Hale, gave a vote of thanks to Sir Michael and Sir Gary for the invitation to the tournament. He passed on good wishes from Canadian Cricket Association President, Ben Sennik, and noted this was the Academy’s 6th tour.
Brian continued, “ I have always chased the spirit of cricket, and today she is here in Barbados.” He ended by presenting Sir Gary Sobers with a Toronto Cricket Academy tie, and a copy “a cricket documentary produced in Canada.” This is, of course, the film “Cricket and the Meaning of Life” that was written and directed by University of Windsor Professor Sanjay Talreja. The film includes the Toronto Cricket Academy on their tour of Trinidad and Tobago.
Expanding Participation
The tournament organizers are working to gain more participants from around the world. We were told that “in 2007 for the first time there will be teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar and Brazil.” Additionally there are ‘good reports’ from the United Arab Emirates, South America and South Asia.
Food and Festive Dancing
The speeches over, it was time for dinner and the ensuing exciting series of dancing spectacles that enraptured the audience. It is marvelous to see the colour and passion expressed through dance and music in the West Indies. Dancing by stilt-walkers and a celebration of the African heritage from which most Barbadians are descended
Congratulations go to all involved in the Gala Night and the overall tournament. The event was hosted at ‘The Planatation.’
---------------------might want Sobers speech as separate item ----------------
Sir Gary Sobers welcomes participants
Sir Gary Sobers was the main speaker, after a distinguished front-table had been introduced. He began, “I have not batted in this position (opener) for sometime. At 17 I batter number 9….three tests later I was an opener against the Australians.”
He broke off this theme to say it was “a very special evening. It is the 20th year of the tournament. Not many tournaments of this type keep the prestige this event has kept over the years.”
“Every time I stand before you it is like year one. Everything feels so fresh and beautiful.” He reverted to his first Test innings as an opener that followed the Aussies posting a big score. Jeffrey Stollmeyer injured himself treading on a ball so Sobers was promoted from number 7.
Sobers told how his partner, J.K. Holt, played out a maiden against Lindwall. Sobers recalled how he was so nervous he didn’t notice any fielders at first as he prepared to face Keith Miller, another legendry all-rounder. Then, “I looked over my right shoulder and saw 3 slips and 2 gulleys……I looked back over my right shoulder and their were four legslips………. At the end of the over it was 16-0, Sobers 16.” Another Lindwall maiden followed but by the end of the 4th over, West Indies were 28-0, all the runs from Gary Sobers.
He recounted that some people thought the 43 he made in ten minutes was one of his best innings. Ray Lindwall had put a hand on Sobers shoulder and told him to “stay at this end.”
This was a different era for cricket and there were no one-day internationals. Sobers also pointed out it was no longer legal to have four leg-slips; only two men are allowed behind square on the legside.
Sir Gary said this was “a special year”. He was sorry not to have fully participated in the planning meetings but, the great man had been working hard on behalf of the event to drum up support from England, Scotland and Ireland. He had been “trying to see how more teams would come and play.” The answer might, he believed, rest with some composite teams rather than individual schools coming from those countries. Two schools from England are in this year’s event.
Speaking to this year’s participating teams and players, Sir Gary said: ‘I hope it will be a year you never forget. I hope there is good cricket with no animosity or bad behavior on the field.” He noted an incident last year that resulted the organizers from expel a team. Clearly this tournament is about values and respect that are at the lifeblood of cricket.
He concluded by commending Alan Sanford who “put his money where his mouth is” and pumped some $40 million into West Indies cricket through the 20/20 event just starting in Antigua. The participating countries in this event were each giving substantial amounts to improve their cricketing infrastructure.
It was moving to hear the great man speak. As one of the fellow front-table guests later said, thankyou for the past 20 years
India and West Indies to meet in Canada -- Posted Sunday, July 9 2006
The proposed series of one-day matches between India and West Indies planned for North America is back on, although all the games are now likely to take place in Canada and not in the USA as originally intended.
It is reported from Canada that a deal was done between the Indian board (BCCI) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) when their respective chairmen met during the ICC executive meeting at Lord's this week.
The series, which is likely to be played in Toronto in September, had been reportedly scrapped and the boards were said to be looking at alternative venues in the Far East. The sticking point was that the grounds in the USA had not received ICC clearance, but there are no such issues in Toronto which has already hosted one-day games.
There are other issues which could prove a stumbling block, not least that the West Indies players are said not to have been consulted about their participation in the series which they need to be as it falls outside the ICC's Future Tours Programme. The WICB, which is heavily in debt, will have to make separate financial arrangements with them.
Cricinfo staff
July 7, 2006
Story sourced from:-
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/canada/content/story/252680.html
ALI'S 103 SPARKS JRR WIN -- Posted Sunday, July 9 2006
Canadian allrounder Qasier Ali, captain of Quebec's Adastrians club, led from the front with a stroke-filled 103 as his team sneaked home to a 19-run win over Cavaliers of Windsor, Ontario in the John Ross Robertson Eastern Canadian semifinals in Toronto Saturday.
Adastrians meet Centurions, Toronto & District 2005 champions, in the Eastern Canadian final at Ross Lord Park in Toronto Sunday.
Ali received good support from Rajah Sohail who made 56 in Adastrians total of 253.
However, Cavaliers mounted a strong challenge on the basis of two excellent knocks from Barbadian-born Pedro Depeiza (60) and Curtis Springer (53) to reach 234 all out with three overs to spare.
Springer was the more aggressive of the two while Depeiza was impressive with sound technique.
A letter from a SOCA club -- Posted Saturday, July 8 2006
Hope you are enjoying the summer. Our teams are doing great since we met. In fact our second team won a spectacular match against Cavaliars, who were the league champs last year.
Also, a couple of our junior crickets were invited to the U-15 Canadian team trials. Sunny, a 14 year old junior is in the first 16 so far. The trials were at King-City, where I had the opportunity to speak to National coach Andy Pick. I told him about our junior program, he seemed impressed and I also asked him if he can guide us in any way to get better in our venture. He said he will have time this fall.
Aside from everything else, I also got a call from Eddie Norfolk, who told me that the bat made for Shiva is ready and he has been taking it around to get it autographed by some dignities. Jon, this may be asking a lot, but is it possible for you to personally present the bat to Shiva. Please let me know if it is possible. Also please let me know how your journal is going and if there is anything I can do? I just read the journal on Scotia bank funding on your web-site....please advise us if this is something our junior program can benefit from. Thanks, Neeraj.
The cricket bat referred to was custom made by Mark Warberton, the only cricket bat maker in North America, at my request. Shiva has the potential, in my opinion, of being the next Natish. In a lot of ways the two boys have much in common with their passion for our game. (JH).
Hello again Ottawa cricket fans -- Posted Saturday, July 8 2006
Action on the Canada Day long weekend centred on Rideau Hall with six matches taking place over the three days.
On Saturday, 01-July, Rideau Hall 1 saw Cathedral down Ottawa without extreme difficulty by seven wickets in a Challenge match: Ottawa – 128 [41.5 ov] (Arnie Orloff provided 57 of the batted runs {76 bls, 4 fours, 1 six} whilst the other ten batsmen combined for fifty with Aruna Peiris hitting 16 {26 bls}, Abdool Samad 3 for 21 and two catches, David Naylor 5 for 12 off 9 overs, Fahd Khan 2 for 30, Riad Khan 2 ct); Cathedral – 131 for 3 [23.5 ov] (Shailesh Masih 50* {70 bls, 3 fours, 2 sixes}, Abdool Samad 46 {35 bls, 5 fours, 1 six}). David Naylor and Shailesh Masih were jointly named winners of the Man of the Match award.
Next door at Rideau Hall 2, Defence ran roughshod over OVCC Juniors, winning by a massive 201 runs in a Citizen game: Defence – 229 for 7 [45 ov] (Kasun Perera 41 {2 fours}, Mohamed Naeem 36 {2 sixes}, Varun Harish 60* {7 sixes}, Sanjay Manhas 3 for 54 and 2 catches, Fahad Shamim 2 for 28); Juniors – 28 for 9 (all out) [12.4 ov] (Anshul Singh 3 for 13, Varun Harish 3 for 13, Rajkumar Nagarajan 2 for 0 off 4 balls, Rajiv Bhatia 2 ct, 1 st). To no one’s surprise, Varun Harish was named Man of the Match.
On Sunday, 02-July, Defence administered another one-sided drubbing, this time in a Challenge match at Rideau Hall 1 with Kingston as the 108 run victims: Defence – 148 {43.4 ov] (Kasun Perera 30 {1 four}, Rajiv Bhatia 32, Gullu Bajwa 24 {1 four, 1 six}, Paul Uppal 3 for 32 and 2 catches, Narendra Patel 5 for 20); Kingston – 40 [17.5 ov] (Khoshal Nasery 3 for 12, Anshul Singh 3 for 5, Gullu Bajwa 2 for 7, Rajiv Bhatia 2 ct). Narendra Patel was named Man of the Match.
Fans at Rideau Hall 2 saw Ottawa take it on the chin again in a Citizen match, this time to the tune of 111 runs with Exodus as the victors: Exodus – 217 [44.5 ov] (Harrendra Gunabalasingam 21 {39 bls, 2 fours}, septuagenarian Clyde (Shaft) Lawrence batted for an hour and a quarter and received 53 balls to record his dozen runs, Navam Navaratnam 31 {68 bls, 1 four, 1 six}, Nabiullah Nawabi 26 {37 bls, 3 sixes}, Dalwinder Singh Kala 31* {15 bls, 1 four, 3 sixes}, Amer Zia 2 for 28, Steve Chinnatamby 3 for 65); Ottawa – 106 for 9 (all out – one absent hurt) [28.1 ov] (Junior Shazeb Khan 16 {33 bls, 1 four}, Steve Chinnatamby 18 {43 bls, 2 fours}, Amer Zia 14 {13 bls, 1 six}, D. S. Kala 3 for 19, Panch Panjalingam 2 for 14, Exodus ‘keeper Harrendra Gunabalasingam held a remarkable 5 catches behind the stumps). Dalwinder Singh Kala was named Man of the Match.
On holiday Monday, 03-July, those present at the Challenge match saw New Edinburgh suffer a batting collapse until at one point their innings stood at 6 for 47, then undergo a remarkable recovery to post a reasonable score and ultimately see victory elude them when rain intervened to curtail further play with Canterbury narrowly ahead on run rate: New Edinburgh – 151 for 8 [45 ov] (Dominic Thomas 15 {45 bls, 1 four}, Pankaj Shrichand 25 {84 bls, 4 fours}, Dravya Sharma 61* {73 bls, 3 fours, 3 sixes}, Akber Hussain 4 for 22, Ahmed Khan 3 for 49, Kamran Raza 2 ct, 1 st); Canterbury – 89 for 5 [25 ov] (Amit Barave 21 {43 bls, 1 four}, Rahul Raikwar 19* {28 bls, 1 four}, Steve Pinhey 2 for 19). Dravya Sharma was named Man of the Match.
Upon revisiting Rideau Hall 2, Exodus discovered that the heady wine of a big win on Sunday could turn into the bitter gall of an almost equally big loss on Monday as they dropped a 69 run decision to Cathedral in a Citizen match: Cathedral – 169 for 8 [45 ov] (Riad Khan 22 {3 fours}, Amit Sawh 16 {2 fours}, Tobie Edmund 26 {3 fours}, Blaine Edwards 17* {1 four, 1 six}, Shahid Khan – a blast from the past – 13* {1 four, 1 six}, Navam Navaratnam 3 for 33, Panch Panjalingam 2 for 26, Brian Ganness 1 ct + 2 RO); Exodus – 100 [27.2 ov] (Dushy Dushyanthan 28 {4 fours}, Dennis Fernandez 19 {1 four, 1 six}, Tobie Edmund 2 for 25, David Naylor 4 for 29, David Mendonca 2 for 15, Fahd Khan 2 for 0 off 8 balls plus 2 ct, Blaine Edwards 1 ct, 1 st). David Naylor was named Man of the Match.
As a result of receiving several outstanding match summaries as well as all summaries from the Canada Day weekend, I am left with only one match which is still entirely missing – namely the Canterbury at Kingston Citizen match of 18-June. Are there any Cantabrians or Kingstonians out there who might know how I can lay my hands on the info from this match?
As this is the weekend for the CHEO picnic, only four matches will take place – two at Lynda Lane 1 and two in Barrhaven.
Since it is getting very late (or early depending upon one’s point of view), I close off this missive and attempt to get some shuteye. Have a great weekend.
John Lexmond
OVCC Statistician
Ottawa Valley Cricket Council
Season 2006 Standings
through Monday, 03-July
Challenge Division
Team M W L T NR Pts
Cathedral CC 8 4 2 0 2 18
New Edinburgh CC 7 4 2 0 17 Defence CC 8 3 2 0 3 15
Canterbury C C 8 3 3 0 2 14
Kingston C C 9 3 4 0 2 14 Bel Air C C 7 3 3 0 1 13
Ottawa C C 8 2 4 0 2 10
Exodus S C 5 1 3 0 1 5
Citizen Division
Team M W L T NR Pts
Cathedral C C 9 6 1 0 2 26
Canterbury C C 7 5 1 0 1 21
Kingston C C 6 3 2 0 1 13 New Edinburgh CC 7 3 3 0 1 13
Exodus S C 7 3 4 0 0 12
OVCC Juniors 9 2 4 0 3 11 Defence C C 7 2 4 0 1 9
Ottawa C C 8 1 6 0 1 5
AN EDITORIAL -- Posted Friday, July 7 2006
Earlier this year the following was announced:- "The CCA has been awarded an initial sponsorship deal by Scotiabank that will help support cricket at the junior level in Canada. Under the CCA proposal, money from the deal will be used to provide some equipment, assist with coaching support and introduce cricket to some schools. In return, Scotiabank is due to see such features as brand promotion/logo exposure and media coverage of championship matches. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have made a quick start in supporting this program.".
The specific amount appears to be $25,000.
Will we be privy to a report from the Canadian Cricket Association about the dispensation of the Scotiabank "initial sponsorship"? or will that be another secret that the Canadian grass roots cricketers are not to be trusted with?
If the funds from Scotiabank have not been allocated for "cricket at the junior level" and "cricket at schools", will the money be set aside in some form of trust for use within the system for the 2007 school cricket season?
We should not hold our breath in waiting for information from the current adminstration, as they have not been able to clarify where and when ODI's and other International matches will be played this summer.
For example a senior official has suggested that the Sunnybrook pavillion has suitable facilites for changing rooms for the two teams. What was not mentioned is that the public use of these facilities would have to be denied to the myriad of aficionados, both male and female, of soccer, rugby, field hockey et al.
What also has to be considered is the ICC requirement for umpires to have separate changing facilities for international matches. No wonder there is a lot of activity going on at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club grounds in King City.
All of this will come down to the ICC inspection report from Chris Broad, (a former county cricketer who played with Canada's coach in residence Andy Pick). And that raises other issues around ... when is Andy going to start training, (as indicated in the job specification), the miriad of Canadian cricket coaches which we desparately need?
We will not hold our collective breath for some news on this front from the current administration.(Jon Harris).
West Indian Cricket Club - An Historical Perspective -- Posted Friday, July 7 2006
The West Indian Cricket Club of Toronto (WICC) has had a long and impressive history in the social and recreational lives of Caribbean immigrants to Canada. In 1934 the club was established, (the first West Indian base cricket club in Toronto). Its main objective, outside of providing a social and recreational outlet, is "to foster and promote the game of cricket within the community and to develop gentleman-like and sportsmanship qualities among its members".
Today cricket, like hockey, has established itself as part of the Canadian mosaic due to the range of ethnic groups participating. In its 68 years of existence, the West Indian Cricket Club has been and continues to be a solid contender in the various divisions in which it has fielded teams.
During the mid seventy's (70's) to mid eighties (80's) the club boasted championships titles in all three divisions, thus establishing itself as the marquis of cricket in the Toronto and District leagues.
The club also won the Ross Robertson Challenge Trophy for eastern Canada in 1984, and the Woods Cup knock out competition on several occasions. In the eighties, WICC was the only club to win the first division championship three times. This achievement brought our club recognition from the Government of Ontario and all players received a certificate of achievement. Also, several of our members have represented the club at both the provincial and national levels. Most notably is Franklyn Dennis, who played for the Canadian national team in the 1979 World Cup in England.
In recent years, the club has undergone major restructuring, and is now well on its way to reclaiming its former position. In 1996, WICC won the conference championship for the second division, winning 13 of 16 games. In 1997, the first division team came second in their conference, losing by only one game. In 1998, the first division team wond their conference, and the championship.
CURRENT CLUB ACTIVITIES:
The success of the club can be measured both on and off the field. In recent years, attendance and support of club activities have been tremendous.
The activities are outlined below:
• Playing 16 Toronto & District Cricket Association (T&DCA) league games per team during the regular season (May- Sept.)
• Playing 5 to 10 friendly matches against teams in cities, such as Rochester (NY), London (Ont.), Woodstock (Ont.), Guelph (Ont.) and many others.
• Having two regular fundraising dances, one in the spring and one in the fall. Average attendance of 350 to 450 people.
• Annual bus trip to New York City to visit Primrose of Bronx.
• Hosting two visiting teams per year. This involves organizing games and special functions; there is usually a dance or a party, with an average attendance of 100 to 150 people. The highlight of which, is our longstanding relationship with the Primrose Cricket of (NY) and the Desnoes & Geddes Sport Club of Jamaica.
• Club family day picnic held usually in July at Sunnybrook Park in North York. Average attendance of 100 to 150 people
• Club practices, held two days per week during the regular season. Indoor practices held one night per week in the off season (November to April).
The strength of our club is our interaction with many communities locally and abroad. South of the border, we socialized with teams in Rochester, Bronx, and Long Island. In the Caribbean, clubs from Jamaica and Antigua. Outside the metropolitan area, clubs from, Guelph, London, Cambridge, Woodstock and Ajax. Locally we interact with the cricketing community of over 65 teams.
Material sourced from http://www.cricketstar.net/tdca/index.jsp?page_id=WICC
CANADA DAY EVENT LEADS TO CALL FOR WOMEN'S CRICKET IN TORONTO! -- Posted Thursday, July 6 2006
Our July 2 report briefly touched on the Canada Day cricket demonstration at Downsview Park, Toronto. We pictured some people from, what with hindsight, proved to be non-ICC member countries who currently call Toronto their home.
Hong Kong are with the ICC, but not mainland China, Russia or Korea, based on a check earllier today.
When time permits we may re-visit the event and provide more pictures. For now, we just recap some of these, mostly young visitors, to give a flavour of what was achieved.
The youngest participants Emery and Noah. There were some players more used to North American sports, such as Andrew (who wore his Maple Leafs Curtis Joseph shirt, and gave hockey, lacrosse and baseball as his main sporting interests) and Arik (who wore an Argos shirt).
An anonymous youngster, who would come in the 'Canadian' category, played catch with the cricket ball for some time. He did not seem to be worried about not having a baseball glove. Sadly, it was not possible to picture him, as the photographer was the only person left running the show.
He had face paint, from one of the other sideshows, but we lost him when his mother called. Hopefully, he might come back next year!
We omitted one Austrian-heritage youngster, Jason, from the picture gallery of 'non-prime' cricket heritage participants. We have contact details, so we'll try and get him into the game. Kevin and Alice from Korea also played alongside Christina (previously pictured). They left us, after quite a time, to play on the soccer pitch....but not before we had a Bangladesh couple bowling to Korean batsmen, or batspersons.
Our friends from Bangladesh recalled the last cricket world cup where Canada beat them!
A girl from Quebec, a boy from Scotland and a Canadian-born girl of Trinidadian heritage also participated.
There were many star turns during the day but Agnes, from Grenada, deserves special mention. She batted, bowled, fielded and kept wicket, clearly enjoying herself. Her friend Ann, from Barbados, joined in, as did Ann's 4-year old son, Kyle (another wearing an Argos shirt).
Before she left, Agnes asked about joining or helping to form a women's cricket team, with West Indies roots. Clearly, participation in this event gave rise to the possibility of women's teams with 'unlikely' cricketing heritage. But that is the beauty of the Toronto multi-cultural melting pot.
Some women's cricket is played in the Greater Toronto area - Sanjay Talreja faced a question on the lack of women's cricket during a Q & A session at the Rainbow Theatre, when 'Cricket and the Meaning of Life' made its public debut.
At the Canada Day event, we left it that a story would be posted on www.Canadacricket.com and that the 'Connections' section might be where interested women could apply to join our exhibition circuit or league. We might have to find some new grounds....we might not. We will have to find some sponsors, but we have some interesting pictures to show our multi-cultural possibilities.
Clearly, this will not be a one or two week exercise - which is good as a couple of us who might help get something going are taking off to other parts at the end of this week.
Perhaps, for now, interested women and youngsters could provide details through 'Connections'. If demand warrants, we'll see if a simpified process is possible.
We have contact details for Agnes, and a few others. We would welcome more potential female cricketers, umpires or scorers!
Silly mid-off match report July 3 -- Posted Thursday, July 6 2006
Silly mid-off's cricket watching on Monday July 3 was delayed by some important personal discussions. A late decision was made to return to Etobicoke's Centenial Park as at least one game was scheduled.
On arrival, two matches were in progress.
Gujarat were scoring fast chasing Tradewinds total of 147. Opener Pragnesh perished for 29 (42-1, 7th over) and Sudhir went for 24 (70-2). Dilip made 29 and Vivek, 23 not out, helped steer Gujarat to a comfortable victory.
The highlights of Tradewinds innings were runs from E. Mohammed (40) and R. Singh (32). Ravi Pandya took 3-32.
Talk the previous day, had been that Calypso bat better chasing high totals than low ones. However, against Young Malton they had the chance to set a total.....and posted a mere 114 all out. Ramlal top-scored with 26. Raman had the best bowling analysis with 9 overs, 2 maidens, 14 runs and 2 wickets.
Runs flowed freely as Adrish (39) and Asif (18) put on 62 for the first wicket. There was a slight lull in the scoring for a couple of overs but Samal's 26 helped seal a 7 wicket win in the 20th over.
Silly Mid-off Match Reports from Ross Lord Park, Toronto for Sunday June 24, 2006 -- Posted Thursday, July 6 2006
On arrival at Ross Lord Park, Pegasus were 72-3 (22 overs) against Masters in a Toronto & District Cricket Association Division 1 game on the western pitch. After a couple of overs, it was time to discover who was on the other pitch. It turned out to be Victoria Park against Vikings in the Premier Division.
This match became the focus after a friendly chat with a welcoming spectator. Cricket is meant to be enjoyable. Much of the attraction comes from good dialogue and banter in the crowd. Strangely enough, you don’t need a big crowd to get a good buzz going.
The statisticians might like to know Victoria Park were out for 201. Karun Jethi top-scored with 44 and Umar Bhatti 31 – both innings ended before Silly Mid-off’s arrival. Tivu Taitt, 37, and Nick Ifill, 27, made most of the remaining runs. Shruti Singh took 4-38.and Vishal Arjune 2-19, if memory serves me right.
Vikings began in a hurry and the runs flowed….sort of. An edged four to fine leg began the opening barrage. There were already 21 runs on the board when the first wicket fell in the third over. The previous ball had been dispatched for four…was there a need to hole out on the next ball?
Two wickets fell in the sixth over, including Chris Vernon for 23. He holed out to deep mid-wicket. One wondered if the Vikings had a plane to catch, or, even, a village to plunder? The trap door widened as a bat was hung out to a short ball from Bhatti in the 8th over and was caught behind the stumps (43-4).
It was nice to hear a cooler head from the Vikings camp cry out ‘Long day, long day boys’. Someone, at least, realized there were plenty of overs from which to make the runs.
A personal time-out was taken by Silly Mid-off. On the adjacent pitch, Masters were going like gangbusters and sealed victory over Pegasus in the 22nd over. Tyrone Jacobs made 56 of Masters 123-4. Pegasus, it may be recalled, were 72-3 on Silly’s arrival. They had tumbled to 118 all out. Roger Bagolbin (33) and Bim Boodhoo (25) lead the scoring. Rishi Beehan took 4-16.
So back to the Vikings, where there had been a recovery, thanks to Tyrone Persaud (43) and Z. Kahn (39 – OK, so next time I’ll know to confirm at the ground if it was Zaman or Zamal). But as the target grew more tangible, there seemed to be a return to the notion of catching an early plane to somewhere. George Codrington was probably happy as he mopped up the tail with 3-18 to seal a 20-run win for Victoria Park. Umar Bhatti ended with 4-32.
For now, Silly Mid-off will stick to the plan of turning up at a ground without analyzing what any published schedule says is happening. Also, it’s about time to record the visit to Eglinton Flats on the previous Sunday. Bye for now…which means I am ignoring the vigourous debate – or was it a war? - over the likes of Stewart Heaney and Geoff Barnett in the Canadian national side.
Match report from St.Catherines C.C. -- Posted Thursday, July 6 2006
Nasir Mahmood, the MVP of 2005, made his mark once again at the Brantford City Cricket Ground by scoring 85 magnificent runs while batting in the top order. Mahmood’s fast paced innings made the total target of 188 runs, scored by Brantford in the first inning, look like a walk in the park for St. Catharines.
Brantford won the toss and elected to bat first on a true batting wicket at the local city cricket ground. They opened the batting with Hussain and Mustafa Malik. While Hussain was out for duck, Mustafa batted well and scored 35 runs. In the middle order Kizar Bilal (30) and Roy Wilson (45) made good contributions to bring the score to 188 runs in 40 overs to close the inning for the loss of 9 wickets.
The St. Catharines skipper felt that his club did not bowl or field well and was not quite up to par. Humayun Ikram, with his in-swings and out swings, was the most successful bowler for St.C.C.C. Ikram bowled 10 overs, 1 maiden, 3 wickets for 34 runs. Adeel Khan, bowling for the first time this season, gave only 11 runs in his spell of 7 overs capturing 2 wickets, while Bilal Akhtar took 2 wickets in his spell of 6 overs giving away only 28 runs.
In reply, St. Catharines opened the batting with Warna Peiris and Adeel Khan. The opening pair gave St. Catharines a flying start with 50 runs in the first 5 overs. Adeel scored hard hitting 31 runs while Warna was caught at point for 18.
Nasir Mahmood batting at #4 really tore the Branford bowling apart with 5 sixes and 9 fours to make his 85 while Grupreet Singh, batting at #5 made a quick 29 runs and remained not out. Singh followed the tone set by Adeel Khan and Nasir Mahmood to surpass the total with a big sixe over the mid wicket to put a total of 194 on the board for STC.
Scoring 194 runs in less than 22 overs to win a match against Brantford is now a new record.
Report dated, Brantford, June 19, 2006, sourced from:-
http://www.cricket.computan.com/default.asp
Welcome to Saskatoon Cricket Association -- Posted Wednesday, July 5 2006
Cricket is one of the most beautiful games among all sports to play and watch. Although it originated in England but recently it has gained popularity around the globe especially in the Indian subcontinent, Australia, South Africa and Caribbean countries. A fair guess would be that more than a billion people are continue to be part of this sport as players, spectators and enthusiasts worldwide.
Canada’s close ties with Britain brought cricket to this country in the early years and since that time expatriates of other countries have helped the sport establish here. To the delight of all the Canadian cricket fans, our national team qualified for the cricket world cup held in South Africa in February-March, 2003., (as it has again for the WC 2007).
In Saskatchewan though, the story is little different as here this sport is still being spread around and trying to take roots in various cities like Saskatoon and Regina. At Saskatoon Cricket Club (SCC), we have a membership of 55 out of which 35 are paid members. We practice on Wednesday’s evenings and play competitive cricket on weekends throughout the summer at the cricket ground located inside of Forestry Farm in Saskatoon.
Traditionally cricket has been more than a game for all who indulge in it. On the field of play we see individuals rising to challenges and inspire others around them to aspire and excel. Besides the intricacies of the game and artistry of the players, we think it offers social interaction, character building and develops friendship with opponents as well.
We are thankful for all kinds of help we get from Sport Saskatchewan, the Government of Saskatchewan, the city of Saskatoon, Forestry Farm-Saskatoon Zoo and Canadian Cricket Association which enables us to continue playing and enjoying cricket every summer.
All visitors and dwellers of Saskatoon and surrounding areas are welcomed to join the club. “You have it in you to try and enjoy this great game of cricket!!” One can contact any member of the club or myself for more information. SCC also organizes/participates in tournaments involving out of province teams. There is one team in Saskatoon and two in Regina, which forms the base for a three way friendly competition throughout the summer.
Phani Adapa, President, Saskatoon Cricket Club
What is salient about the Saskatoon CC is that they have a junior development programme as per the following:-
Welcome to Youth Academy of Saskatoon Cricket Association
Saskatoon Cricket Association is working positively to promote Cricket in Saskatoon and Area. The organization is non-profit organization.
If you are one of those parents who is amazed at the vast variety of sports available but not sure which one your child(ren) like? Or if you are wondering if your kid is willing to try a new game which is played by more than a billion people around the world! How would you like to see your kids display their hidden talents in this very artistic, competitive yet gentle sport of Cricket?
While having fun why can’t opportunities be created and found, and that’s exactly what we are set out to do. Teach Cricket to youth making learning fun and energizing. Our volunteers love to coach young players who are interested in learning. Saskatoon Cricket Club provide many volunteers who not only enjoy but also like to help new talent to raise their interest learn the game and excel in the game.
The young generations interest to learn the game motivates us to work with them closely. We stick to some basic methods of teaching which includes video presentation, techniques of batting/bowling/fielding, practices, and games. We also believe in innovative and creative ways to make learning & playing cricket a more satisfying and fun experience.
So why not join this wonderful Youth Academy of Saskatoon Cricket Association for the extended fun activities?
Article sourced from:-
http://www.saskatooncricketclub.com/
Editorial comment: It is clear that the grass roots within Canadian cricket are taking care of junior development from coast to coast. Here is another example. (Jon Harris).
Junior Coaching in Surrey, B.C. - Anil Khanna has been conducting coaching clinics for junior players at Sullivan Heights in Surrey. Contact Anil Khanna (newdelhi00@hotmail.com) for more information.
Photo at http://www.bcmcl.org/images/surreyjnr.jpg
Windies playing international cricket in New York City -- Posted Wednesday, July 5 2006
Brian Lara said it is an honour to play in New York, having never done so before in serious competition. Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul have also graced grounds here and in Florida, but have never been more excited to return to the Big Apple to show off their skills. Dwayne Smith has never visited, nor has Fidel Edwards and while Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds have participated in benefit games here, they all regard the West Indies versus United States two-match series next weekend as their most important undertaking in this great city.
Many attempts have been made in the past to have West Indies perform in New York’s as a collective unit, but those efforts always crashed because the stakeholders never went the extra mile to make the games a reality. This time it is different because the professionalism in the planning process has been of the highest grade It explains why all of the players approached are all enthusiastic to be a part of the first ever clash between the West Indies and United States teams. Not only was the concept of the series impressive to the players, the follow up interaction with them through a West Indies based agent, procured by the Cricket International/ Floyd Bennett promotion team, and personal visits to the players in Guyana, convinced them of the magnitude of the event. That visit not only cemented the relationship between the contracted players and the organizers, it created new ones with those West Indian players not among the squad to contest the two July 8 & 9 games, thus paving the way for future undertakings. Having set the stage for a fabulous weekend of cricket of the highest standard possible this summer at least, the promoters have done their bit.
It is now left for the New York cricket public and those from around the country to chip in and give this weekend’s series the success it deserves. Not only must the adult fans show up in great numbers, they should also make every effort to have the kids attend these games because it could be the beginning of a defining weekend in America’s cricket development. It is not everyday we get the opportunity to have one of the world’s greatest players ever, compete here while still in the peak of his powers. In his interview with Cricket International in May, Lara reiterated the importance of his presence here next weekend. “Getting international players over to show their talent is one side of it, you get the crowds out, you get the interest and you need to get it into the schools. You need to get it appreciated by Americans,” the double world record holder stated. It does require Lara to visit New York every summer for him to appreciate the need to have the youngsters involved at an early age. And this weekend is the best possible time to start.
Lara, Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Gayle are some of the biggest names in the sport, and their influence would be invaluable not only from their performances, but from the impact to be made from the youngsters seeing those players up close and personal and interacting with them. The series is also an opportunity for our aspiring young players to impress the powers- that- be, not only in America but around the world that United States cricket is going places. It was commendable for the selectors to name two fine teams comprising young, promising and seasoned players to contest the two games. The onus is not only on the promoters to plan and execute a grand show, or the fans to make full use of the occasion, it is also incumbent upon our players to prove their mettle. Now that all the barriers have been cleared, it is now left for us to capitalize on this fabulous opportunity. Let’s show up in mammoth numbers to make next weekend the turning point for cricket in New York and all of America. We fully deserve it.
The Caribbean XI team will be led by West Indies Captain and World record holder the invincible Brian Lara, also joining him will be Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Wavel Hinds, Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Smith, Rawl Lewis, Dinesh Ramdin, Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. They will face off against the USA All Stars which will contain USA Superstars Richard Staple, Steve Massiah, Imran Awon, Orlando Baker, Mikey Alexis, Sudesh Dannyram, Vishal Nagamottoo, Nadkarani,J.Desai, Devon Smith, Clifford Walwyn, Kevin Darlington, G. Roopnarine, Lenox Cush, Karl Wright, Nasir Jamshaid, Rashad Marshall, Barrington Bartley and Tim Allen.
The Games will restore the excitement of International Cricket in New York when they host an international match between a Caribbean XI team, comprised of West Indies Cricketers, and a United States All-star team, on Saturday, July 8th and Sunday, July 9th, 2006. The match will be played at the Floyd Bennett International Cricket Facility at Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreational Area, located at the Southern end of Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
Editorial comment:- It would appear from the above that the administration of cricket in the USA is functioning at a level which challenges our administrators in Canada, despite the reports of conflict within the associations which control cricket in America. (Jon Harris).
Article sourced from:-
http://www.cricketintl.com/07032006_stage_is_set.html
Batsmen should walk when they know they are out -- Posted Tuesday, July 4 2006
Ehsan Mani ends his three-year stint as ICC president on July 7. Having taken over shortly after the last World Cup and all the controversies over player contracts, Mani's reign has seen cricket in crisis in Zimbabwe, and increased questions being asked about ICC-sponsored white elephants like the ill-fated Super Series. In this exclusive interview, he talks to Cricinfo's Osman Samiuddin about the work done and the organisation's future.
What's your take on technology and umpiring? Will it not eventually be the case where all decisions are referred to technology and umpires become almost redundant?
I don't believe umpires will ever get redundant if you look at the use of technology as a way of assisting umpires rather than working against them or undermining them in any way. It would help a great deal, for me personally, if players walk when they know they are out. That doesn't happen anymore which is sad because it is one of the unique spirits of our game. I would urge any player around the world to walk, if they know they are out. They don't do that and it creates a lot of pressure on the umpire.
But when you and I sit at home and watch the game on TV, if the broadcaster is able to use technology to show whether the umpire's decision was right or wrong, I believe that undermines the umpire more. It's far better that we try and use the same technology and see if we can assist the umpire.
Match referees - their role has evolved over time and become better defined than only now. But there is still a lot of uncertainty with the consistency with which match referees are working. Do you feel this is a problem with interpretation or something more than that?
Referees are human and they all see things differently. When you see the guidelines to referees it's very clear. For each offence, there is a stipulated penalty. Within the band of penalties there is discretion depending on how severe the penalty is. What happens is that when a referee is asked to determine whether an offence has taken place or not, different referees will take different yardsticks. To a large extent that is understandable as people view things differently but players don't like it because it does create from time to time inconsistency. And that is something that the ICC does discuss with the referees.
Osman Samiuddin
July 3, 2006
Article sourced from:-
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/252154.html
Ottawa Valley match reports -- Posted Monday, July 3 2006
It’s time to fire up the old e-mail and send out another missive about last weekend’s action. Eight matches were scheduled and all took place – no rain outs for a change. I have received match summaries for five of the eight and without further ado, I shall launch into my narratives.
At Rideau Hall 1 on Saturday, 24-June, New Edinburgh apparently got off to a fast scoring start in a Challenge Division match and were eventually all out for almost 190 to which Cathedral were able to reply with only around fifty, thus leaving ‘Burgs the winners by about 140 runs. This is one of the matches for which I have not as yet received a summary.
At Rideau Hall 2, Defence recovered from their puny batting performances of the previous week by scoring over two and a half times as many Citizen runs in one match as they had in two matches at the prior weekend, pounding the Ottawa attack for 211 for 8 [45 ov] (Kasun Perera 72 {130 bls, 5 fours}, Ganesh Nandram 18 {27 bls, 3 fours}, Gullu Bajwa 20 {43 bls, 1 four, 1 six}, Prem Sookdeo 19 {33 bls, 2 fours}, Raju Nagarajan 21* {16 bls, 2 sixes}, Steve Chinnatamby 3 for 26, Rayyaan Jameel 2 for 31, Chaminda Weerakoon 2 ct, Samantha Perera 1 ct, 2 st & 1 RO) to which Ottawa were only able to reply with 73 [30.1 ov] (Sandeep Virwaney 29 {56 bls, 2 fours, 1 six}, Mahy Mahmud 2 for 15, Brian Reis 6 for 20), Defence thus achieving victory by a whopping 138 runs. The Man of the Match was Kasun Perera.
At Lynda Lane 1, Kingston were taking on Bel Air in a Challenge match and the visitors carried the day by 72 runs: Bel Air – 133 [43 ov] (Leon Stewart 19 {67 bls}, Tony Russell 37* {41 bls, 3 sixes}, Chetan Aggarwal 2 for 27, Vishy Ramaswamy 2 for 30, Ramesh Manhas 2 for 23, Jiwan Sharma 1 ct, 1 st, Nihar Sheth 2 ct); Kingston – 61 [25.1 ov] (Sudarshan Manhas 28 {1 four}, Tony Russell 4 for 8, Leon Stewart 3 for 6, Mukundan Chakrapani 2 ct & 1 RO, Cornelius Henry 4 ct).
No Man of the Match was indicated on the score sheet, but from his numbers (and I am a numbers man), I figure who else could it be but Tony Russell.
In Barrhaven, Exodus were bowled out for about 120 runs and Canterbury achieved victory for the loss of six wickets in a Citizen match. I haven’t yet received a summary for this match either.
On Sunday, 25-June at Rideau Hall 1, Defence’s Challenge team took a cue from their Citizen brethren of the preceding day and, while their win was not by as extravagant a margin, they did post a solid 52 run win over visiting Canterbury: Defence – 190 for 9 [45 ov] (Ganesh Nandram 47 {98 bls, 3 fours, 1 six}, Amit Sawh 18 {27 bls, 1 four}, Varun Harish 32 {15 bls, 2 fours, 2 sixes}, Ahmed Khan 4 for 44, Akber Hussain 2 for 46, Kamran Raza 2 ct, 1 st); Canterbury – 138 [38.5 ov] (Kamran Raza 24 {51 bls, 1 four}, Ahmed Khan 26 {68 bls, 2 fours}, Gullu Bajwa 2 for 21, Delawar Ahmedzai 4 for 23, Saif Chaudhry 2 ct, Rajiv Bhatia 2 ct, 1 st). Ganesh Nandram was named Man of the Match.
Next door at Rideau Hall 2, Cathedral cantered to a relatively easy win by seven wickets after bowling out New Edinburgh for under 100 runs in a Citizen match: New Edinburgh – 71 [30 ov] (Rupert Prebble 20 {2 fours}, David Mendonca 2 for 16 and 2 ct + 1 RO, Reggie Ranjit 3 for 10, Tobie Edmund 2 for 13, David Naylor 2 for 23, Blaine Edwards 3 ct); Cathedral – 75 for 3 [23.4 ov] (Riad Khan 35 {3 fours, 1 six}, Pankaj Shrichand 3 for 23). Riad Khan and Reggie Ranjit were jointly awarded Man of the Match honours.
At Lynda Lane 1, Ottawa squared their season’s series with Kingston at one apiece via a five wicket win with seven balls to spare: Kingston – 145 for 7 [45 ov] (Paul Uppal 44* {65 bls, 1 four, 1 six}, Maipal Bali 23* {32 bls, 2 fours}, Chaminda Weerakoon 2 for 15); Ottawa – 146 for 5 [43.5 ov] (Arnie Orloff 18 {31 bls, 2 fours}, Lushan Silva 30 {68 bls}, Chaminda Weerakoon 32 {61 bls}, Lakmal Jayawardene 23* {30 bls, 1 four}, Aruna Peiris 15* {17 bls, 1 four}).
Although this scorer failed to elicit a Man of the Match naming from the umpires at the ground, the victorious skipper together with several OCC cognoscenti opined during the post match celebrations at Rideau Hall that it should have been Lushan Silva.
In Barrhaven, Exodus were not playing gracious hosts as they bowled out visiting Bel Air for 96 and subsequently eked out a narrow one wicket win at 97 for 9 - despite being 85 for 5 one point. This marks the first occasion that Exodus have defeated Bel Air in a Challenge match since the Exodosians joined OVCC in 1998.
As well as five matches from last weekend, I also append the two OVCC matches from the preceding weekend. The attached individual stats for Challenge and Citizen Divisions, while as up to date as I can make them, can in no way be considered complete as I am still lacking match summary info from Citizen matches Canterbury at Kingston of 18-June and Canterbury at Exodus of 24-June plus Challenge matches Cathedral at New Edinburgh of 24-June and Bel Air at Exodus of 25-June.
I hope everyone had a pleasant Canada Day long weekend.
John Lexmond OVCC Statistician
Silly Mid-off at Centennial Park, Etobicoke - July 2, 2006 -- Posted Monday, July 3 2006
The cricket grounds at Toronto's Centennial Park in Etobicoke, are near the ski hill and one of them is under the hydro wires. Still, the grounds have a certain charm - particularly the one that is not 'under the wires'. A wild rabbit came out of the trees and undergrowth during the course of the afternoon, to add to the entertainment of the cricket.
The first game encountered was an Etobicoke League Premier Division game between Elmbank and Bramalea Sports Club. Elmbank had won the toss and were batting. It was to prove an unhappy day for Elmbank with the toss being almost their only success.
Elmbank lost their first wicket at 22 and the road became harder at 27-2. Opener Simpson made 13, which turned out to be top score. The innings struggled and then subsided from 61-5 to 73 all out. Kanti Patel took 3-10 and Dhurmesh Patel 3-3.
Elmabank made an early breakthrough (13-1) but took only two more consolation wickets. Bramalea Sports completed the win around 4.30 pm. Azib Ali Hanif, a former Guyanna player, ended on 37 not out.
The second pitch also featured Etobicoke League Premier Division play. Calypso Sports Club were matched with Brampton United C.C. Brampton were batting but strugling. Wickets continued to fall and the main stand of the innings was the 36 for the eighth wicket. Johal Amerpreet top scored with 45. Lower-order batsman Jahal Pretinder made 25. Stephen John took 4-55.
The Calypso innings followed what seems a typical Ontario path of 'we'll get the runs quickly.....or not at all.' It seemed a potential wining tactic at 53-3 after just 9 overs but at 105-7 the odds seemed to be in Brampton's favour. Ravin Yusuf made 36 before skying a catch to mid-wicket.
Marvin Ragnath and Mark Pegwan each made 21 not out, and took Calypso to victory. Jaspal Dhami headed the bowling for Brampton with 3-35. Realistically, Brampton will look back on several missed catches and a couple of run out opportunities.
Calypso face Malton at Centennial Park on Monday July 3.
Canada Day in Toronto -- Posted Sunday, July 2 2006
An early morning Canada Day venture to Parc Downsview/Downsview Park, Toronto, resulted in a unique opportunity to see people from different cultural backgrounds play cricket.
Leslie Soobrian, of Toronto's Commonwealth Cricket League, had organized a cricket event to try and promote the sport. He was supported by a number of juniors from the Cavaliers Cricket Club of the Toronto & District Cricket Association.
The photographs are of some of the young players who were introduced to cricket on the Canada's birthday.
A number of Chinese recruits are seen trying out cricket | Emile was our first Russian to try the game | Christine, from Korea enjoyed her experience batting and later tried bowling |
An extract from an ICC MEDIA RELEASE -- Posted Sunday, July 2 2006
The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) will start off a series of meetings for world cricket’s leading administrators when it begins at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday 2 July.
The two-day meeting will make decisions on a range of matters relating to the playing of cricket as well as recommendations on the business of cricket for consideration by the ICC Executive Board, which will meet on Wednesday 5 July.
A Key agenda item for the CEC includes:
- The use of technology as an aid to decision-making by umpires
- Appeals to the third umpire, which is an item that has to be referred to the ICC Executive Board for approval. The issue follows a recommendation made by the Cricket Committee in May.
The Cricket Committee agreed to recommend players be allowed three appeals per innings to the third umpire if they feel a decision made by the on-field umpire is incorrect.
The recommendation is for the measure to be trialed at this year’s ICC Champions Trophy in India and then be reviewed after that tournament.
The CEC and, if it is approved, the Executive Board, will debate the potential benefits of the recommendation set against what it might mean for The Spirit of Cricket, the fabric of the game and the role and authority of the on-field umpire.
The appeals system has been used in American Football for several years and, earlier this year, was trialed in an event on the professional tennis circuit.
The ICC Business Forum will be streamed live on the internet at www.icc-cricket.com
Addendum:
A no ball is a delivery which does not count as one of the bowler's six legitimate balls in one over.
The fielding team are penalised one run every time a no ball is bowled, which is added to the extras tally of the batting team.
The extra run will also be added to the bowler's overall figures.
The umpire will call a no ball by raising an arm at shoulder height and the fielding team must bowl another legitimate delivery.
If the batsman scores off a no ball, the runs will be added to their individual score.
The batsman cannot be dismissed off a no ball - only except if the batsman is run-out.
The umpire will call a no ball if:
a)The heel of the bowler's front foot lands on or in front of the popping crease (the front line of the batting crease).
b)However the front foot can be raised over the line as long as the heel does not go beyond the popping crease.
c)The bowler's back foot is touching or outside the return crease
d)The bowler unfairly notifies the umpire of a change in their mode of delivery. So if a player says they are a right-arm bowler to the umpire and then bowl left-arm, the umpire will call a no ball.
e)The umpire believes the bowler is throwing the ball
f)The bowler bowls the ball before entering their delivery stride
g)If the ball bounces more than twice before it reaches the batsman
h)If the ball rolls all along the ground
i)The ball stops in front of the batsman without having touched the bat
j)If the wicket-keeper encroaches beyond the stumps before the ball has been struck by the batsman or has passed the stumps
k)More than two fielders are positioned on the leg side behind square
l)A full toss - a ball which does not bounce - is bowled above waist height
m)The umpire deems the bowler to be bowling dangerously and unfairly
My umpire friends are welcome to correct and amend the above. (JH)
Pavilion Society - Victoria, B.C. -- Posted Sunday, July 2 2006
On 29th May 1992 twelve people met at the Pavilion resulting in the formation of the Beacon Hill Pavilion Society. It was agreed that the Society's objective would be "to provide a social lunch roughly once a month with hopefully some small profit resulting which will be used for the improvement of Pavilion facilities" Since that time one hundred and forty three lunches have been held and membership has grown to a capacity of sixty people.
Monthly attendance is normally between thirty six and forty people which is as many as can be seated comfortably. The Society has few rules but does insist that members are suitably dressed, cell phones are turned off, and business is not discussed. It is surprising, in this day and age, that any organisation can function quite happily without a succession of meetings, formation of committees etc. apparently so vital to modern management but the Society manages to avoid these things.
The "small profit resulting" over the twelve years is in excess of $70,000 and has been used exclusively for the betterment of the Pavilion. Expenditures covered include renovations, repairs, painting, electrical appliances, furnishings, china, cutlery and many small items resulting in what could well be the best cricket facility in Canada.
The Society does not expect anything in return but it is clear that if these costs had not been covered they would have to have been met from club and players dues so to this extent the Society has helped subsidise the continuation of cricket in Victoria.
We must respect and look after this unique facility.
Use the link to see photographs.(JH)
http://www.victoriacricket.ca/awards.html
Toronto Library exhibit extended -- Posted Saturday, July 1 2006
We are pleased to advise that the Librarian at Toronto's Queen Street East and Saulter St Library has extended the cricket exhibit (pictured in 1624) for the month of July.
The exhibit has attracted attention and will receive many young visitors in July. 
Toronto Queen & Saulter Library – Cricket Exhibit – June 2006
Introduction to the Exhibit
This exhibit hopes to provide a brief insight into cricket. It is brought to you by www.diffused.com, normally a photograph specialist, and the Canadian Cricket Association, www.canadiancricket.org. The exhibit runs to the end of June.
Space has limited our ability to bring you most of Mike Phang’s photographs of cricket in Antigua and Barbuda. These photos have featured in two recent exhibitions under the banner of “Conjuring Cricket: Images of a Culture”. This was held at Metro Hall, Toronto, and then at the Gallery, 201 Queen Street East, Toronto (as part of Toronto’s May 2006 ‘Contact’ photographic exhibition). Some postcards, featuring an Antigua cricket team, used to promote the previous exhibitions and Metro Hall Cricket Panel Discussion are available.
A number of handouts are provided for library visitors to assist in educating any newcomers to the sport in the basics of the game and some background on Canadian cricket. The International Cricket Council (or ICC) is the governing body of the sport in the world (crickets equivalent of soccer’s Fifa, to those watching that world cup). The Canadian Cricket Association (CCA) is the governing body of the sport in Canada.
Until supplies run out, we feature two ICC Development Program leaflets for free distribution:
. What is Cricket? - a brief guide to the game, aimed at young people
. Cricket without Boundaries – an overview of global development of the
sport.
Copies of two CCA leaflets are also available:
.. Cricket in Canada – covers history, the game and Canadian highlights
. Canada Cricket Heritage Fund - covers history, strategic goals and
invites contributions to the Heritage Fund.
Cricket’s World Cup - 2007
The major international tournament is the Cricket World Cup. The last event was in 2003 in South Africa, won by Australia. West Indies host the 2007 edition, which takes place next March and April. There are 16 teams set for these finals. The ten ICC Full Member nations are the top level countries in the sport and automatically qualify for the event. Kenya had a special status for One-Day International matches and was also given an automatic berth.
A series of qualifying matches took place involving Associate (‘2nd tier) and Affiliate (3rd tier) ICC members to complete the line-up for the World Cup event. These culminated in the ICC Trophy, held in Ireland last year (2005). Five nations, including Canada, qualified for the World Cup finals from that event.
Supporting Flags
The backdrop to the wall display is the flag of the West Indies Cricket Board. West Indian cricket has historically been noted for its entertaining approach to the game. The West Indies team has in the past been described as the calypso kings. The West Indies team is not as prominent on the world stage as in previous decades. However, recently showed some promising signs with a series win over India in One-Day International matches, staged in the Caribbean. This bodes well for next year’s tournament.
Our exhibit features small flags of the other 15 nations competing in next year’s World Cup. It also has the flags of the individual Caribbean nations which are hosting World Cup matches. Canada will be playing in St Lucia. Some tourist maps of St Lucia were made available in support of this exhibition, kindly supplied by the Consulate of St. Lucia. Copies of “The Antiguan 2006” were also available, reflecting the pivotal involvement of the Toronto Consulate of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in the original photographic exhibitions. .
The flags of the eight Canadian provinces that are current members of the CCA are also displayed.
Supporting Memorabilia
An open photo album, some photographs, some cricket books and a mounted cricket ball are featured in the display cabinet.
World Cup 2007 Line-Up
In the initial stages there are four groups of four teams (see Groups A-D below). Group play begins on March 13, 2007. The top two teams in each group move on to the Super Eight stage. This involves a league table and the top four in the league progress to the semi-finals. The winners from the semi-finals meet in the final in Barbados on April 28, 2007.
Group A: Australia, South Africa, Scotland, Netherlands
Group B: Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bermuda
Group C: New Zealand, England, Kenya, Canada
Group D: Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland
Thanks
Special thanks go to the Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda for their initiative and support of the original ‘Conjuring Cricket: Images of a Culture’ photographic exhibition.
Sacking of media manager highlights internal problems - Canada score PR own goal -- Posted Saturday, July 1 2006
A little over two months after being appointed as the Canadian Cricket Association's Marketing and Communications Manager, Eddie Norfolk appears to have been dismissed after falling foul of Ben Sennik, the board's somewhat eccentric president.
Norfolk, who moved to Canada from Essex in 1989, came to the job with a glowing management background and in the short time he was in office, he made big strides in publicising the CCA's work and of bringing Canadian cricket to a bigger audience. Until his appointment, the CCA had rarely issued any media releases or appeared to do much to promote itself.
Insiders say that it was his instant success that contributed to his demise, with Sennik reportedly far from happy that his role as the main man was being overshadowed.
Sennik's credibility was not helped by some ill-advised remarks in may when he claimed that Canada were aiming to become a Test-playing nation within a decade. A few days later, they were defeated by Bermuda and Zimbabwe on ODIs. Those losses were put into context with the revelation that no practice matches had been arranged prior to the Trinidad trip. Insiders claim this was for financial reasons.
Just before Christmas, Sennik told a crowd attending 'Cricket and the Meaning of Life' that cricket would be the dominant sport in Canada in 'about the next ten years' . He has also been talking about a massively ambitious cricket stadium and hotel development at King City. A figure of $300 million was tossed in the air during one discussion and funding appears to be dependent on a mysterious backer. The Maple Leaf CC grounds at King City are held under a trust and are not the CCA's. At the CCA AGM last November, the architectural drawings were unveilled. At the time capacity was around 18,000 - a much higher figure was heard recently. There continued to be mentioned of sharing the ground with soccer but a new stadium is being built at the Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, near the Toronto lakeshore.
As recently as last weekend, Norfolk was to be seen working tirelessly at a domestic event - the CIMA Mayor's Cup - and insiders say that there was growing envy at his high profile.
Sennik's action would seem to ensure that Canadian cricket slips back to the twilight zone it inhabited before Norfolk's appointment. To outsiders, it appears that personal standing and profile inside the country is more important than the overall good of the game.
Cricinfo staff July 1, 2006
Article sourced from:-
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/canada/content/story/251962.html
Editorial comment: If a public meeting were to be held I would be leading the chant ...Resign, Resign, Resign. (Jon Harris).